Grain Belt Artists Holiday Gala
I have two pieces, one large drawing and an oil painting in the Grain Belt Artists Holiday Gala exhibition this weekend. There are 38 artists showing work at this juried event. Several artists will have open studios to the public. The gallery space is two stories and is really spacious. There will be wine and free food. This event is free to the public.
It’s a multimedia event featuring film, music, performance art, painting, sculpture, drawing, and photography. Music by Peter Lochner, Eliza Blue, Acoustic Death Orchestra & The Vicious Alive.
Opening Reception
Friday, December 5th, 6 – 10pm
Open Saturday December 6th, 12 – 8pm
Open Sunday December 7th, 12 – 4pm
The Grain Belt Bottling House
79 13th Ave
Ne Minneapolis, MN 55413
Hope you can make it! I’ll be at the Opening from 6 to 10pm. 
-Jessica
Broken Ankle
I thought I had sprained my ankle two months ago, but didn’t have any insurance to go to the doctor to have x-rays taken. I finally have insurance and was able to go to the doctor today. My ankle is actually broken and I’ve been walking on it for two months now. So it hasn’t healed properly. I have to go to a specialist on Monday and will most likely have it re-broken, reset, and put in a cast. It’s going to be a long recovery process. The doctor said that I broke it in the worst spot.
I was standing on my feet for up to 10 hours last week painting. It’s hard to believe I was doing that on a broken ankle. It was painful but I was determined to get my paintings done. I’ve been disappointed that I wasn’t able to complete 25 new paintings for the deadline, but I was able to complete 14 new paintings on a broken ankle – so I don’t feel so bad anymore.
I will have to work on smaller paintings until my ankle heals and I am able to stand again. I’m also going to work on some jewelry pieces and continue to work in my visual journals. My leg may be immobile for a while, but I still have my arms…and I will paint, paint, paint!
Update (12/09/09):
My ankle healed without having any surgery. I had to wear a brace for many months. A year later, I have bad arthritis and have had to go back to the ortho specialist for anti-inflammatory injections. It still causes some discomfort but doesn’t prevent me from continuing to stand while I paint/draw.
Studio Renovation
My studio is finally complete. It now has carpet, new walls, tables, chairs, lights and is ready to go! I’m still going to build a painting drying/storage rack in the next couple of weeks to help with organization. I’ve been working on new paintings and drawings for the upcoming MCAD Art Sale, which is on November 21st and November 22nd. I have to have all work completed by November 9th. I’m going to have 25 pieces available for purchase at the sale this year. I will be taking photographs and posting some of the completed works on the blog soon. I finished some tree/landscape paintings this week and am now working on some experimental/mixed media portraits.
I'm back from my hiatus
I apologize for not posting on my blog in quite some time. I’ve been on somewhat of a hiatus the past few months where I’ve been trying to get things re-organized in my life. I’ve been working on my finances and setting up a new art studio space. Everything is coming together nicely and my studio space is almost fully set up.
I am building a painting drying rack/storage space and a new adjacent wall in the studio. I’m also adding new light fixtures, carpet, and bringing in some new chairs, stools, and tables to work on. Unfortunately, there was a terrible accident today. One of the old ballister’s exploded brown chemical sludge on top of my new drawings and framed watercolor paintings. The chemical sludge even made its way underneath the glass to the paintings. Several pieces were completely destroyed. At least none of these pieces were from my professional portfolio but they were still very good pieces. I am glad that I had a chance to photograph them before this happened. But I am deeply saddened by this.
I went to Blick Art Supply today and purchased 28 studio gallery wrapped canvas’s at 70% off. It’s so exciting when there is such a great discount on art supplies. I have enough canvas to create new paintings for the upcoming MCAD Art Sale. I’m going to go back to purchase more canvas before the sale is over on October 12th.
I’m starting the new paintings tonight. I will post new artwork as it is completed and will try to keep my blog updated as much as possible since I have everything situated in my life and studio again. So keep your eyes open and check back again soon for new work.
March & April
Thank you to everyone that came out to my last opening “Viscera” at Java J’s. There was a nice turnout and appreciate all the support. The solo exhibition will still be on display until March 16th. So there is still plenty of time to check out my paintings.
I am also participating in this year’s Saint Paul Art Crawl in the Rossmor Building. I am not sure of which floor/space I will be showing my work yet, but will post that information as it becomes readily available. This will be my first art crawl, and I am terribly excited.
Viscera by J. M. Culver
Upcoming Exhibition: Viscera by J. M. Culver
“Viscera” by J. M. Culver
Opening Reception: Friday, Feb. 22nd 8pm to 11pm
art + wine + food + music by Bella Koshka
@ Java J’s, 700 N Washington Ave, Mpls 55401
I’m printing out flyers tomorrow. Hope everyone can make it out to my next art opening. This is a small solo show and all work is for sale.
Java J’s is an upscale coffee and wine bar located in the warehouse district of downtown Minneapolis. They serve a variety of coffee, wine, beer and food items from their menu.
Come view my artwork, have some drinks and food, and listen to Bella Koshka’s debut album “Slow Dancing on the Ocean Floor” on Feb. 22nd.
Thanks!
Jessica
Finished painting
I just finished my “Transformation (Self Portrait)” painting. I decided to leave the lower portion gestural and didn’t want to add too much detail. I like that the painting is very loose, has a lot of energy and conveys a sense of anxiety. I’m happy with the final painting. It may take a while to fully dry in the lower portion because the paint application is fairly heavy.
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Tumbling down with frames and all
I went shopping two days ago. I bought 13 frames and 20 sheets of paper at the art store, which I got for under $100 (what a deal!). I decided to go down the side of the house to the basement studio. There was quite a bit of snow but it didn’t look too icy. I made it down the hill, with a pile of frames in my hands, but my foot hit a sheet of black ice right before I made it to the door. I came crashing down with the frames on the pavement. I was actually more worried about the frames than if I had hurt myself. Luckily the frames didn’t break or even get scratched, but my knees weren’t so lucky. I survived with some scrapes and bruises and mostly just a lot of soreness from the fall. I will no longer go down the side of the house to the studio during the winter.
I woke up early this morning to go to work in the studio. It’s always so exciting to have fresh new pieces of paper and canvas to work on. I’m starting a series of gray portraits. I’m going to finish the first painting today. It is a painting of a mixed media drawing that I did a couple years ago titled “Transformation (Self Portrait)”. It is a very strong piece. I’m incorporating charcoal with my new series of oil paintings. I’m also working on a series of mixed media drawings that I’d like to exhibit at my solo show at Java J’s this month. I have a lot of work ahead of me.
Mpls.St.Paul Magazine Review
We’ve had a few reviews written of “Anxiety Dreams” exhibition. I was bummed that none of them mentioned my work or name.
But Mpls.St.Paul Magazine reviewed my work. yah
“References to childhood abound in nearly all of the pieces on display. If
any thread connects the pieces in the show, it’s that one. J. M. Culver’s
“Altered States,” a huge charcoal and acrylic piece, may be the most
successful at conveying the sense of vulnerability and tenuousness of both
childhood and the dream world. An old man in slippers and a little girl, a
window and a broken teetering chair, the elements are simple but evocative.”
To view the full article:
http://msp.blogs.com/themorningafter/2008/02/2308-anxiety-dr.html#more
One note: there isn’t a window in my drawing. There are too chairs.
