Jaume Plensa: Talking Continents - MMoCA, Madison

Internationally celebrated artist Jaume Plensa is known for his poetic approach to sculpture. He produces works of art that evoke silence and inward reflection, engaging in a creative practice informed by his deep interest in the physical manifestation of spiritual energy. On view in the museum’s State Street Gallery, Jaume Plensa: Talking Continent is an enveloping installation of suspended steel forms that appear to transcend their own physical weight and volume, and instead convey lightness, translucence, and fluidity. - Madison Museum of Contemporary Art.

These pieces weigh between 25 and 150 lbs. Confusing to look at because you know they have to be heavy but since they are floating in air they look like they must be light.

I went over to the docent and said, I know the answer to this but could I just touch one? Uh, no.

An exceptionally cool thing is that you can carefully walk between them.

Anyone who knows me knows that I LOVE letters. These letters are from 8 different languages.

Note to MMoCA: The one thing missing are some benches along the walls. I really want to sit on on a bench on each of the 4 sides and really, really study these, and think, and watch people react. I'd go alone and stay a satisfyingly long amount of time.

Other than that the show is open until April 15. I'd say, don't miss it.

Lady Gaga, Minted & Rae!

I know, that is a surprising heading isn't it?

Minted, the S.F. online stationery company, is partnering with Lady Gaga and her Born This Way Foundation to send thanks to first responders at disasters nationwide this year. “They exemplify the values of bravery and kindness we know can change the world,” said Cynthia Germanotta, foundation president (and Gaga’s mom) in a statement. At each venue on Gaga’s “Joanne World Tour,” which ends in Los Angeles Dec. 18, fans can write messages on cards donated by Minted, which works with artists around the globe who design the cards. To spread peace, love and joy another way, chose your holiday card from the selection of Minted holiday cards curated by Gaga’s Born This Way Foundation, at bornthisway.minted.com

I was both surprised and delighted to see that my card was chosen to be one of the 48 cards that will be used. You can take a closer look here.

Cyber Monday starts NOW! Minted cards & Outside the Line fonts!

I am excited about my collection. These are my three holiday and one new year's cards. Each one is offered in three colorways. You can see more at my store on Minted.

If this is your first time buying cards from Minted they will sweeten your season with 20% OFF their 2017 holiday cards. Use code: NCHOLIDAY20 through Monday 11/27.

For all you non first-timers here is a Black Friday deal. 20% OFF on holiday cards, gifts, fine art, and home decor $150+. 15% OFF everything else. Use code: BF2017. Expires Friday 11/24.

And for all you creative Do It Yourself people ALL Outside the Line fonts bought from this site are 50% OFF thru Monday 11/27. Fun for cards, holiday menus, family letters & invitations. If you are looking for holiday graphics check out Yuletide, Christmas, Christmas Too, Holiday & Holiday Doodles Too. But all are on sale.
To get your deal use CYBERMONDAY when you check out.

I wish everyone a happy and food filled Thanksgiving!

Minted Wedding Designs

Wedding invitations are up and open for voting on Minted. This one is clean, simple and minimalist with a touch of gold foil. https://www.minted.com/design-rating/887273?filter=all&sort=designer

There is a possibility that I may have set this up so that it will have each of my designs appear one after another. I would be nice because there are 8 in this collection.

Pretty in Pink for many different weddings, simple, contemporary, deco, sophisticated or pink. https://www.minted.com/design-rating/887403?filter=all&sort=designer

Fresh, fun & young! Perfect for an outdoor wedding. https://www.minted.com/design-rating/888975?filter=all&sort=designer

Gold and black. Simple, formal, and elegant. https://www.minted.com/design-rating/889007?filter=all&sort=designer

Black and white, simple and strong. https://www.minted.com/design-rating/890947?filter=all&sort=designer

Gold on taupe... for all you desert and cacti lovers. https://www.minted.com/design-rating/892957?filter=all&sort=designer

If I was getting married today this would be mine. Creative, artistic... https://www.minted.com/design-rating/893003?filter=all&sort=designer

A forest of trees, similar yet different. Another real fav of mine. https://www.minted.com/design-rating/897453?filter=all&sort=designer

Thank you for anyone who votes for me. Every vote counts and I appreciate them all.

3 Christmas Cards and 1 New Year's Card now on sale at Minted.com!

So very excited about my collection on Minted. And you can enjoy 15% off using the code JOY17 at checkout. Expires 11/6. Here is the link to shop https://www.minted.com/store/raekaiser

Art Therapy #13

If you don't know, this is where Rae & Nancy make postcards and send them to each other. We have been busy and are slacking off a little.

My postcard above is cacti illustrations I did for a Minted wrapping paper challenge. That arrangement is slightly different with more white space. But I like both the drawings and the colors a lot. I can't wait to be able to buy some!

I love to make soup. Especially in a snowstorm. Trust me this is the best tomato soup ever. Of course this is the basic recipe. Like my grandma, I add a little of this and a little of that. I know I add more honey. The basic recipe is from the From Asparagus to Zucchini cookbook. A Madison guide to cooking farm-fresh seasonal produce. It is always a bit of a garbage soup. I may toss in any appropriate veggies in the fridge that need to be eaten. I also use my immersion blender to create a nice smooth soup. Perfect with a baguette from Batch Bakehouse. Closest baguette I have found to the ones in Paris.

Nancy's postcards are all wonderfully thoughtful. She has gone through some well thought out changes in her life. She is really brave and honest with her actions, although she would probably say she is not. But I think she is wrong. She is a friend of many years that I am lucky to have.

"Courage transforms the emotional structure of our being. During the process of rising we sometimes find ourselves homesick for a place that no longer exists. We want to go back to that moment before we walked into the arena... straddling the tension that lies between wanting to go back to the moment before we risked + fell + being pulled forward to even greater courage is an inexhaustible part of the rising strong." - Rising Strong, Brene Brown

Among many other things Nancy is writer. This is an excerpt from her book, Get Lost: The Adventures of Ruby O'Hara.

Nancy and I are taking October off. She is off to writer's workshops and visiting her girls. I am ever so busy with Minted and will start illustrations for a well-known retail store. I think we will be back in November. Until then.....

Gallery night...

Friday night was gallery night here in Madison. It is rare when we don't go. We headed out even though it was rainy and chilly. We made a point to get to hatcharthouse

I wanted to see Dave Watkins work. I would love to paint abstract art. October and November Hatch will be showcasing his work. He is an Milwaukee artist. I got to talk to Dave who has high energy and is really a fun (and talented) guy. For the show he was doing #fineartbombing. He had drawn quite a few small paintings and had them around the city. They are framed and attached with magnets. Eventually people steal them. I borrowed the one above so I could scan it. And we put it back in place over the weekend.

Here is more of his street art. He is someone to keep an eye on.

Save a Date Challenge on Minted

The Save a Date challenge just closed this Tuesday and it appears there is a very short voting period. Voting closes noon Tuesday Central Time. The above Save a Date is as minimal as they get. And what I would use if I was getting married. https://www.minted.com/design-rating/877967?filter=all&sort=designer

This one is certainly fun and young. Or young at heart. I like the mix of some of my doodles and good typography. I like just that tiny bit of red. https://www.minted.com/design-rating/873147?filter=all&sort=designer

Really like the tight cropping on this one and all the copy in the circle. Clean and contemporary. https://www.minted.com/design-rating/871583?filter=all&sort=designer

Fun and funky type. Lost of space for your horizontal photo. https://www.minted.com/design-rating/871607?filter=all&sort=designer

Perfect for a Fall or Winter wedding date. Or use it year round if you live where pine is everywhere. https://www.minted.com/design-rating/876303?filter=all&sort=designer

Thanks to any of you who vote. It is best to use the links in this post, then you go right to the card.

If you vote for mine plz vote for some others. Lots of talent there. And Minted doesn't like it if you just vote for me.