Katherine Brannock

Thinkspace : Picks of the Harvest : Work in Progress III

2012-03-02T08:00:00.000-08:00

Finally finished with my piece for Thinkspace Gallery's "Picks of the Harvest" show, opening this Saturday, March 3rd from 5PM to 8PM. The artwork took a little longer than I had originally anticipated, but it was well worth the effort in the end. I will continue to explore colored pencil in conjunction with the ballpoint pen- I was really pleased with the last minute decision to add another medium, and even more impressed by how nicely they complimented one another. I can't thank Andrew Hosner and his wife Shawn Hosner enough for being so patient with me during this process, they've put a lot of effort into this show and I am deeply humbled by the caliber of artists slated to appear in this art event. I'm still blown away by the fact that they decided to include my work...

The following photos show my conclusion to this
long and drawn out process (no pun intended)...

Title: "Composing Shadows"

Size: 14" x 24"

Medium: Ballpoint Pen,

Shellac Ink, Walnut Ink Stain
Gold Ink and Colored Pencil

Thanks for checking in and maybe we'll meet for the first time at

Thinkspace Gallery's "Picks of the Harvest" show on opening night!

Take care until then...

Bic Ballpoint Pen Sketches Pt. IV

2012-03-01T08:00:00.000-08:00

In 2010 Iwas introduced to Kelsey, manager of the Tin Can Ale House, who offered me theopportunity to show in the bar Valentine's Day weekend. This turned out to bethe debut show for the illustrations featured in my first play, SKETCH. Itturned out to be an incredible evening with amazing bands (hand picked byKelsey), and a packed crowd excited about good music and artwork. I ran into alot of old friends as well as making some new ones along the way. I was alsolucky enough to have a very talented friend of mine, Ian Cuevas, photograph theevening.

To read the play or purchase your own copy

please visit katherinebrannock.com

Thanks!

Thinkspace : Picks of the Harvest : Work in Progress II

2012-02-28T08:00:00.001-08:00

I'm still in the process of finishing my new piece for Thinkspace Gallery's "Picks of the Harvest" show scheduled to open March 3rd, 2012. So far, I've been pretty astonished by the development of this image- a part of me still has no idea how it's going to all come together in the end, and as stressful as that may be at times, I can't help but be excited about the unknown outcome of the piece. The anxious anticipation is a large part of what fuels me through the late nights and long hours, which are necessary when running full speed towards a deadline. Cross your fingers for me please, as I attempt to finish this piece within the next few hours and drive it up to LA for what proves to be an amazing annual group show created by Andrew Hosner and his partner.

Thanks for checking in and maybe we'll meet for the first time at this show's opening night.

Take care until then...

Bic Ballpoint Pen Sketches Pt. III

2012-02-23T08:00:00.000-08:00

As Icontinued to explore the limits of ballpoint pen, a bit of an internal dialogueseemed to bubble up in the process of executing more complex images in mysketchbook. After some careful editing, I found that I had written a short,three-act play featuring a stream of consciousness conversation between twocharacters in one very confused mind.

To read the play or purchase your own copy

please visit katherinebrannock.com

Thanks!

Thinkspace : Picks of the Harvest : Work in Progress I

2012-02-22T08:00:00.000-08:00

Crunch time is quickly approaching as I attempt to wrap up a piece for Thinkspace Gallery's "Picks of the Harvest" show opening up March 3, 2012 from 5-8 PM. I've decided to take one of my three remaining pieces from the series I started back in December of 2011, and develop the visual story a little further. The image area will be a bit more packed with information, so I may attempt to use a little more color this time in order to separate some of the dominant themes and characters occurring in the work. Once again, I'm still rather intimidated by the thought of using more color, but I'll have to break out of this irrational fear sooner or later... hopefully sooner than later.

Wish me luck for the final outcome of this piece, thanks for checking in and maybe we'll meet for the first time at Thinkspace Gallery's "Picks of the Harvest" opening.

Take care until then...

Bic Ballpoint Pen Sketches Pt. II

2012-02-16T08:00:00.000-08:00

Over time, Ibecame more confident with sketching an image from start to finish withballpoint pen. The more I worked directly with ink, the more I realized therewas "no such thing" as a mistake. When it came to expressing an ideaon a page, I found that my most successful pieces were the illustrations I had originallydeemed as failures.

To read the play or purchase your own copy

please visit katherinebrannock.com

Thanks!

111 Minna : Harum Scarum : Works in Progress IV

2012-01-31T08:00:00.000-08:00

I'm wrapping up the last Harum Scarum blog post in San Francisco, gratefully absorbing some of the urban atmosphere I've missed while living in San Diego. It's been a while since I've visited Northern California and within the first few hours of arriving I was graced with some serendipitous encounters from acquaintances long past and almost forgotten. The universe seems to have a funny way of putting its last two cents in on matters we try to sweep under the rug... maybe that's its a way of telling us there will be a time and a place to eventually let it all go.

I started this new series in December, originally guaranteeing Micah Lebran at least six pieces for the show with an honest attempt at completing ten for the February opening. I was able to finish seven, leaving three pieces in various stages of completion. Upon my arrival at 111 Minna, Brad and Micah provided me with a warm welcome, genuine enthusiasm for the new work, and the prospect of placing the final three of the series in their May art fair. From now until then I will make an earnest attempt at finalizing this series, along with drumming up some new works for the other shows I'm scheduled for this year.

The entire series for Harum Scarum
follows the same formatting as well as execution
in every individual piece.
Their titles appear beneath each photo.

Size: 14" x 24"

Medium: Ballpoint Pen

Shellac Ink and Gold Ink

with a Walnut Ink Stain

If you are interested in purchasing a piece
visit 111 Minna Gallery's shop.

Simple Slight

Sublimate Escape

Fear Filter (sold)

Waning Warrant

Crucible Cradle

Essence Ignition

Infinity's Dragon Bokeh, Sits on the Earth Spirit (sold)

Thanks for checking in and maybe we'll meet for the first time at this opening.

Take care until then...

Thumbprint Gallery : Works of Wisdom : Work in Progress II

2012-01-12T08:00:00.000-08:00

The "Works of Wisdom" show opens this Saturday, January 14th from 5 PM to10 PM at Thumbprint Gallery in La Jolla. Today's post features the final photos of my piece for the show. Hope to see you there!

Title: "Expect the Unexpected"

Size: 12" x 24"

Medium: Ballpoint Pen

Shellac Ink and Gold Ink

with a Walnut Ink Stain

Thanks for checking in and maybe we'll meet for the first time at this show opening.

Take care until then...

111 Minna : Harum Scarum : Works in Progress III

2012-01-11T19:05:00.000-08:00

This is the third installment of the "Harum Scarum" Works in Progress series. The photos featured below are part of my new artworks created for 111 Minna Gallery. This is their first stage of development- check back in to see the final pieces before they're framed and taken up to San Francisco by yours truly.

Right now it's a bit of a race to try and finish everything. I have a show at Thumbprint Gallery this Saturday and I'm desperately trying to have everything framed in time for that show as well as finalizing this series. The final piece for the "Works of Wisdom" show will be featured in tomorrow's post.

Thanks for checking in and maybe we'll meet for the first time at this show's opening night.

Take care until then...

Thumbprint Gallery : Works of Wisdom : Work in Progress I

2012-01-05T08:00:00.000-08:00

Thumbprint Gallery presents its first show of the year "Works of Wisdom" opening next Saturday the 14th of January and running through February 5th. I'm racing to finish a piece for them in the midst of all my other work currently under development for 111 Minna Gallery and Thinkspace Gallery.

This will be my first appearance at Thumbprint- but hopefully not the last. The gallery has come a long way since their roots in North Park on University Ave and I'm excited to see them progressing as a serious establishment dedicated to exposing serious artists in and around San Diego.

The images featured in today's post are from the piece I intend to finish and frame for the upcoming show. There are a few details to square away at the moment, but the progress is moving along nicely and I can't wait to see it hanging on a wall.

I'm glad the eyes of Thumbprint Gallery noticed me and my work. Thanks for checking in and maybe we'll meet for the first time at this show's opening night.

Take care until then...

Sketches I

2012-01-03T08:00:00.000-08:00

The "Works of Wisdom" show for Thumbprint Gallery is coming up January 14, 2012 and I have a number of sketches that could potentially fit the bill for its abstract theme, but many of these ideas demand at least a few weeks to complete.

I've been waiting for an excuse to finish the drawings featured in this post, but (as much as I love the initial sketches) it feels as though they require a larger format or even a different medium with which to express their visual dialogue.

I don't think I could adequately execute these pieces in time for the Thumbprint show, but maybe there's a chance these spirits will end up manifesting their presence in another arena down the road.

I can be rather fickle when I comes to choosing a piece for a show, but if I change my mind, you'll be the first to know. Thanks for checking in with me and maybe we'll meet for the first time at Thumbprint's opening some works of wisdom.

Take care until then...

111 Minna : Harum Scarum : Works in Progress II

2011-12-27T08:00:00.001-08:00

Almost all of my artistic efforts during the month of December have been devoted to accomplishing a cohesive body of work for the Harum Scarum show at 111 Minna Gallery- set to open February 2, 2012. This year was filled with some unexpected turns, and I find myself once again living at home with my family. Their love and support has given me the strength to move forward as well as the ability to focus my self and my energy towards the development of this new series.

In the time it takes to create this art, I hope to capture a small glint of the emotional range which has consumed the better part of my thoughts as I process the culmination of my experiences over 2010 and 2011. I'm grateful for this time and the luxury to entertain such whims and in a perfect world I suppose we would all have some such means to understand the why's and how's of the way things unfold in our lives.

Overall, I'm proud of the decisions I've made and thankful for the people who have come in and out of my life. Their influences will continue unfolding in ways which may or may not make sense at the present moment or in my immediate future- but, at the very least, as this new work nears its completion I will personally savor the irony of this show's theme and its uncanny title which perfectly defines the last two years of my life.

Thanks, once again, for checking in and maybe we'll meet for the first time at this show's opening night.

Take care until then...

111 Minna : Harum Scarum : Works in Progress I

2011-12-20T08:00:00.000-08:00

I'm really excited about this new series of work intended for 111 Minna's "Harum Scarum" Show. Here are some examples of the art in progress. Hopefully I can make my way up to San Francisco for the opening night- it would be an awesome excuse for a road trip and a great opportunity to visit some friends along the coast.

This new work will slowly incorporate color as a thematic element, rather than a decorative component, with the intention of gradually developing watercolor media into a more dominant presence in my work. I'm still very intimidated by watercolor painting, but I'm betting that my love and fascination for the medium will eventually overpower my fears.

Baby steps...

I'll continue to post the progress of this new series as soon as I have more photos documenting my work. Thanks for checking in and maybe we'll meet at this opening event!

Take care until then...

Wrapping Up 2011

2011-12-13T08:00:00.000-08:00

The year is coming to a close, but the imaginary snowball is still rolling- growing larger by the minute... lucky me. I'm already booked to appear up and down the coast of California next year in at least four shows including:

Thumbprint Gallery in San Diego, CA for January

111 Minna Gallery in San Francisco, CA for February

Thinkspace Gallery in Culver City, CA for March and May

(Fliers coming soon...)

I'll post more details as soon as they arrive, as well as some works in progress for those of you who are anxious to see a sneak peak of what's to come.

I'm also looking forward to San Diego Comic Con 2012, hopefully I can have some new stories, zines and t-shirts printed up by July. I'll be back in the same booth with my good friend Randall Christopher and his incredible creations Bear & Fox/Kleeman & Mike. Check them out if you're not already familiar with Randy's refreshing sense of humor.

Thanks for checking in and maybe I'll see you at one of these upcoming events!

Take care until then...

Monkey King Commission

2011-12-06T08:00:00.000-08:00

San Diego's Comic Con 2011 was a great success. I met a lot of wonderful people and received a lot of interesting commissions. One of which afforded me the opportunity to interpret a mythological Chinese Deity, the Monkey King. With the help of a friend, well versed in the art of Kung Fu, I was able to pull together an authentic re-creation of this character, posed in what is traditionally known as "monkey style" Kung Fu. I had a lot of fun researching and executing this final piece.

"A-mazing. Katherine, Katherine,Katherine... I wish i could put into words how this looks... So i guess i'lltry... When i look at your work, it's as if i cannot blink. Your technique isflawless -in my eyes. It's very similar to stained glass. Each segmented piecehas a life/world of it's own. So from a far the Monkey King looks like akingdom, comprised of all your best and latest techniques. I thoroughly enjoyit. And will continue to enjoy it. I look forward to seeing more of yoursuccesses!"

"Arigato Gozaimasu Katherine-Sama"

-Ryan Loewinsohn

Thanks for the kind words and the commission Ryan, I hope to see you again at next year's Comic Con!

Homeroom : Subtext Gallery : Christina Conway : High Fives...

2011-12-01T23:49:00.001-08:00

This was an incredible show, and I'm really grateful to be a part of something so spectacular in my hometown of San Diego, California. I'd like to thank Christina Conway for curating this magical event, as well as Don Hollis and his crew at Subtext Gallery for housing the show. It was an honor to be among so many talented artists from around the world. What a great way to wrap-up 2011.

Christina asked us to find an art piece from childhood, then reinterpret it for her show. I found my artwork buried at the bottom of a dusty box, stowed safely on a high shelf in my dad's garage. I created it when I was three, almost four, years old. The title of the piece (given by my mom) was "Kathy's First Sharks"- and I couldn't resist the opportunity to recreate it.

This is a picture of me around the time I made the artwork.

Here are some pictures of my piece for the show. Until I have a photo of the final artwork, please enjoy these pictures of its progress...

Last, but not least, is a photo of my toughest critic...

Christina Conway

Subtext Gallery

BiC Ballpoint Pen Sketches Pt. I

2011-10-17T21:51:00.000-07:00

Back in 2009, while working as a graphic designer for the Miramar Marine Base, I started keeping a sketchbook to pass the time during my lunch breaks. It was a way for me to let out some other ideas as I worked on branding, banquet fliers, business cards, brochures, or what have you. Here are some of the very first illustrations that came from using only a black, BIC round stic... a very unassuming ballpoint pen.

To read the play or purchase your own copy

please visit katherinebrannock.com

Thanks!