Hello Again and Happy Turkey-Week!

HELLO!

Oh, OK. I know it has been WAY TOO LONG. Sorry 'bout that. I could offer a long, excuse-laden list of reasons, but that would be more for me than you.

In honor of turkey-week and my love of gratitude exercises in general,

I am going to start by stating how thankful I am for:

- fresh starts, in blogs and other-wise

- for anyone reading this blog

- for all of my loved ones

- health!

- fantastic and sometimes unexpected creative opportunities

- all of the millions of other things to be thankful for in every moment

It has been a while. I honestly don't know how this blog has fallen so far down my list of priorities, because I have so much to share!

Blog, I now free you from your under-the-stairs-Harry Potter-style-banishment.

I move you to priority seating!

Are you convinced?

Here is a preview of what's to come!

Here is John Adams from the series of presidential portraits I just completed.

It is a three color monotype.

Happy Thanksgivin'!

*gobble gobble*

Art, Cheese, Friends, Spirits, and Flourish!

As, I blogged about before, a space called Flourish in a town called Chicago showed some art. Included in the show was art by Kate Korroch, Andrew Heber, and Me! (Casey Searles). Here are some pictures from Flourish:

I know, I'm a cheeseball. But we're on a sign! Sweet, right?

It's a great space and they had wine tasting.
I didn't drink too much before my show, don't worry.
Just a taste....

Here is a blurry shot of Flourish's retail space.
They have many thoughtful books and gifts.

Here I am with Capt'n Von Cutestuff.
Ok, he's not a Captain and his name is Josh.

Here's Kate! She's my tulip.
She's a great artist and organizer of events!
Check out her blog: http://katekorroch.blogspot.com/
Oh, that's Andrew in the background!

oh, hey there.

Cupcakes are YUMMY
2'x3', acrylic on canvas

Hey blogsphere, it's been awhile. But I'm back, and still addicted to sugar. This is a painting I made on a day off last month. I made this using layers of gesso, acrylic paint, and pastel. I put it in the "Explore the Wild Show" at Flourish. Also included, were some of my monotypes and two pieces that I made years earlier.

Here they are!

Joe, 18"x18",
colored pencil on paper



Nora, 4'x2'
house paint on butcher paper

I made these two in high school. My mom had them in her house, when she moved to Canada, she let me have them. Now, like the good daughter I am, I'm trying to sell them.
My next post will have some pictures from the opening.
Thanks for looking.

the bunny boat soon will be making another run...

 Happy Bunny Boat

Three Color Monotype

8.5"x 11"

Derived from "Busy Bee Coloring Book"

First of all, in order to make sure this title was correct I had to google "love boat theme lyrics." I couldn't remember if the love boat would soon be making another stop or another run--it's run.

Has anyone ever looked at the rest of the lyrics?

Well, let's just say I'm now even more in love with love and boats.

take a peek.....

Love, exciting and new

Come aboard, we're expecting you

Love, Life's sweetest reward

Let it flow, it floats back to you

Love Boat soon will be making another run

The Love Boat promises something for everyone

Set a course for adventure

Your mind on a new romance

And love won't hurt anymore

It's an open smile on a friendly shore

It's love

Welcome aboard

It's love!

--Paul Williams and Charles Fox

I have only vague memories of the Love Boat from when it was shown as re-runs in my early childhood. I certainly didn't recall it being a salve for all of love's wounds. Then again, I was probably seven.  But ladies and gentlemen, this is a bunny boat. Don't worry, I'm sure that yes, there is still love in their hearts and the shore remains friendly.

hello, i'm a gender neutral lamb

baaa

Weee Leettle Laamb 8"x 11" Monotype

This is another stencil print. I made it for my boss Jenny, who recently gave birth to her second baby, a sweet, little boy. I hope she liked it!She also has a two year old girl, so I tried to make the colors as gender neutral as possible so that it might seem like a gift for both kids.

cock-a-doodle

Print-a-Doodle-Doo, 10"x13" three-color monotype

I made this print during one of my first classes back at Lillstreet.
I based it off of a drawing that I created
while watching LOST on my computer.
Have I mentioned that I was completely engrossed in LOST?
For a while there, I learned how to do most things while watching it on demand on abc.com.
I can cook, eat, fall asleep, get dressed, and draw roosters all while learning the secrets of the island and creepy Ben Linus.

Here is a close-up detail of the face.
The colors are a little less muted in person.

So, thanks, LOST!
I really love you....so far.

just the two of us...

Quest for Gummiberry Juice
11" x 15", three color monotype

I love bear cubs. There isn't a concrete explanation for this feeling. Well, they are very cute, but then again so are most baby animals. Maybe it's because I like to personify them and imagine them going on adventures. I bet they produce extremely cute bear cub giggles when they're having fun. I'm also pretty sure that when they hibernate, they have the sweetest little bear dreams about catching fish in rivers of honey.
Yep. You'll probably be seeing more bear images.

have a bear-y sweet day!
ok?