In the spirit of continuing my 5"x7" series - here's a new batch of juicy patterns!
I'm in the process of ordering greeting cards out of the 5x7 series. Any favorites?!
Painting a day.
This past week I did a 5"x7" series, a painting a day. 'Quickies' as I like to call them. I shared them everyday on my Instagram.
Day 1 :
Day 2 :
Day 3 :
Day 4 :
Day 5 :
Day 6 :
Day 7 :
I didn't really mean to stop, but balancing a toddler & painting everyday does prove a bit challenging. - The plan is to do more! - & the best ones will be printed as greeting cards, they will be available as packs to purchase in my shop! As well as the framed originals! So stay tuned! Meanwhile you can follow me, if you like, on Instagram as 'nikkipolished.'
On a side note, the show at Frontier just came down, thank you to everyone for all your love, I sold a lot of paintings! & have a handful of commissions to get to work on! Really awesome, thank you! If you missed out on something you liked please don't hesitate to contact me.
cheers!
New Show @ Frontier.
I have some new paintings (& a few older ones) hanging in a group show, at the very lovely Frontier. A bar, restaurant, music, cinema, & art gallery all in one. Located in the big, beautiful Fort Andros in Brunswick, Maine.
'El Sol Y La Luna' 2' x 4' mixed media painting on birch panel. Framed in 1" poplar stained a deep blue-black. Sold.
'Feathers & Textiles' 2' x 2' mixed media painting on birch panel. Framed in 1" poplar stained black. Sold.
'All In The Golden Afternoon' 1'19.4" x 1'4" mixed media painting on birch panel. Sold.
Frontier is an absolutely beautiful space, with hard wood floors, rustic furniture, lofty ceilings, & a full wall of windows facing the Androscoggin river, with views of the dam & the swinging bridge. It manages to be industrial yet warm & welcoming.
The menu is delicious. Conscientious, quality food, from vegan nachos to steak frites. There are 9 local beers on tap, a great wine selection & creative craft cocktails. That I personally help design. When I'm not mommy-ing, painting, or thrifting - I also just so happen to work at Frontier part time. Slinging drinks & tending bar, I was recently featured in an article in Current Magazine.
Photo by Jared Lussier of Current Magazine.
I work with a team of wonderful people, some of the best I've had the pleasure of working with in the industry. Frontier also has a theater, where you can either see an independent film or catch some local music (while enjoying libations from the bar!) - I'm not just saying all this because I work there, I truly & highly recommend a visit!
Please stop in and check out my new paintings & sample the amazing food, drinks, service & atmosphere.
Cheers! <3 N
The show will be up until the beginning of March!
'The Pious Flamingo'
New painting! This piece has been in the works, for what feels like forever! It was sold before it was even finished, & now it has finally made it's way to NY, NY - to grace the walls of its new owners. Hooray!
'The Pious Flamingo' 4' x 2' Mixed media painting on birch panel. Framed in dark cobalt blue stained, 1.5" poplar.
Nikki Pilgrim original.
Details ^> Often I incorporate collage in my pieces, but this one is all hand painted. Mostly with watercolors - with some milk paint & enamel. A scene from my wild imagination.
I have two more paintings nearly finished, I will be sharing with you soon.
Stay tuned. XO -n
Dahlov Ipcar
Swoon! I am so in love with the work of one of 'Maine's treasures,' artist- illustrator, Dahlov Ipcar. Recently my daughter Juniper & I had the pleasure of meeting sweet Dahlov & having a hand full of her wonderful books signed!
We had the above 3 books signed, & own 3 more - with plans, wants, & wishes to collect as many as we can. Dahlov has over 30 children's books published! The illustrations in each of these books are all rich with color, style, & pattern. All things that I love, but besides the beautiful imagery, the stories are all really charming, lovely, & well written.
To make things even more exciting! We not only had the great honor of sitting and chatting with Dahlov Ipcar, but Juniper & I's moment together with her was captured and published by a local paper - here in 'The Coastal Journal.'
You can read the article online as a pdf @the costaljournal.com. This is certainly something I'll be saving for the ol' scrapbook! Something we will cherish, along with her signed books, for years to come!
Ipcar is a true inspiration to me, with her nearly 70 year long career of creating absolutely beautiful work. Her legacy of children's books, as well as her paintings being in the permanent collections of the Metropolitan, & the Whitney. Her success & accomplishments are something this aspiring Maine artist dreams of.
The above two images (& 3rd below) are by Winkey Lewis from an article written by Susan Conely for mainemagazine.com.
-'...She tells me a secret: “There is the artist life and then there is the doing of the art.” She chose the latter. “The art is why I’m still alive." -
It's a really beautiful article that I personally really enjoyed. It gives you an inside peak into Dahlov's life, home, & studio. I particularly loved the visual it paints of Daholv's parents & her upbringing. I highly suggest you head over here and read this next!
In Dahlov's home, look how dreamy!
And with all that, I now leave you with these pictures of my daughter Juniper enjoying her copy of 'The Calico Jungle.' Completely unprompted, amongst many other options, this book is easily her new favorite. My girl has good taste! <3 n
Mildred Johnson
This past weekend I had the pleasure of 'picking' from an artist's dream of a yard sale.
Mildred Johnson, an incredible assemblage artist, is retireing at the age of 82 & has been collecting, building, and producing all of her life.
“I honestly can’t remember a time when I wasn’t making art. As a kid I used to find scraps of wood and other junk and make my own toys, so my interest in building has been with me for a long time. I guess I’ve never really grown up – I’m still playing with found materials – and I still feel the excitement of discovery that I remember as a child.” - Mildred Johnson
Mildred Johnson, Triptolemous, found object assemblage, 21"x11"x6"
Mildred Johnson, Calliope, found object assemblage, 22"x12"x7"
Her studio(s), located in the Fort Ando's Mill in Brunswick Maine, opened their doors to starry eyed artists & collectors alike as a 'Not your everyday yard sale.' For me unfortunately, it was a perfect example of early bird gets the worm, I arrived two hours after first start, but I was still able to pick up some great papers - art supplies & a few beautiful, rusty, treasure relics.
My finds from Mildred Johnson's studio.
The cream of the crop.
I am especially excited about this BEAUTIFUL, organic, dried seaweed type, piece I found. I'm feeling particularly inspired to make a special painting just to showcase it, I can already envision it & can't wait to work on it. Score.
It is a bit sad, that that treasure trove of an artist studio is closed. Though I am confident that art making runs deep in Mildred Johnson & neither age nor retirement will stop her from seeing art in everyday objects. She certainly has left a legacy of work behind that people will be able to enjoy for years to come. Really very beautiful.
In Mildred's Studio. Image borrowed from http://shoplucilles.blogspot.com
Warm Stylings.
My friend Kristyn & I are teaming up on a project for this year's holiday sale season! Stylish warm hats for the adorable babe in your life. This is my daughter Juni modeling Kristyn's first finished product.
They'll come in a variety of sizes & colors for ladies young & wise!
Antler Art.
Gathering up supplies to make a new lot of antler assemblage. Time to get a little weird!
Last batch ^
