Behind the Art: "Behind the Crimson Door"

Behind the Art: An intimate journey to the backstage of creation

I figure since this is the image used in the layout of both my website and blog, that it would be fitting to start this series here!

First off, yes, I did take the title from the song by the same name: "Behind the Crimson Door". However, that's as far as the similarities go. This picture measures roughly 9 x 12 inches, and at the time, was the most detailed piece I had ever completed. It's done in Copic Markers on watercolor paper, which I prefer as far as paper goes because of its absorbency. This drawing took roughly 7 months to complete, because I randomly decided to stop working on it for half a year.

The background was somewhat arbitrary. I wanted something mysterious and earthy, other than that, the options were endless. If you look closely at the archway, you can see several symbols. These symbols represent the Zodiac from the western tradition.

But the heart of this piece is the central figure. Many years ago, I worked on a story that never did get finished, but left me with nine characters very near and dear to my heart. And though I shouldn't play favorites, I had one: Threnody.

Threnody, or Thren for short, is a man with unbridled hopes and faith, even though he landed himself in a position that should have destroyed not only all that, but should have destroyed him as well. He wears a sun necklace that was a gift from his first love before they were forced apart, and the sun suits him well. Thren also has a fairly severe form of albinism, and because of that, was shunned as he grew up.

This piece, to me, was a revisitation of a dear friend that I hadn't had any dealings with for over five years. I wanted to do something that really captured his essence. And thus, "Behind the Crimson Door" was made.

Prayer Beads for Sisters

I love getting commission requests. Not only is it currently the only income I get, but more than that, I love the people I work with. There is something so incredible about seeing someone touched by something you created. In that very moment, the entire world makes sense and makes everything worth while. It's making a complete and full connection with someone, fully understanding each other, in a mere split second of recognition.

Jamie (name changed for privacy) contacted me about a custom set of prayer beads. I can't retell her story and do it justice, so I'll let her speak for herself:

"I have a friend whose name is Mandy [name changed for privacy]. She and I met at church about 13 years ago. We clicked and instantly became best friends throughout the rest of school. The two of us grew up really rather rough. Rural Pennsylvania isn't all that kind, and our family situations weren't the best. We became each other's shoulder to lean on and have come to consider each other sisters, regardless of the lack of a blood bond. We swore to each other that one day, one of us was going to leave Pennsylvania, get famous, then come get the other.

Well, I was the one who left Pennsylvania, but it was not to become famous. I joined the military. We have been separated since, though we remain in close contact, and whenever I go home to visit, she's one of the first people I go see. My two daughters call her Aunt Mandy. Last summer, I was able to go see her and we saw a concert together. It was a group the two of us loved when we were younger that had reunited for a summer tour. It was an amazing week of reminiscing.

Upon my arrival, I gifted her with a set of love beads that I had come across in the local thrift store. She loved them and they became something she kept close every single day. I had prayed over the beads before I gave them to her, and I truly felt as though there was a spiritual connection between us through those beads. I would call her and she would tell me, "You know, I was just fidgeting with and praying on the beads."

Recently, Mandy's older brother was murdered. In fact, it was only about two weeks ago now that it happened. She has been struggling with his loss, and I have been struggling with grief and frustration that I simply cannot afford to fly back home to Pennsylvania to be with her during this time. This morning she e-mailed me from her work to tell me that the love beads I had given her had broken. They'd gotten caught on her car door and the cord snapped, scattering the beads every which way across her office parking lot. She is devastated.

And I have been searching for a set of prayer beads for her. I came across your shop while searching and love the design of the interfaith prayer beads. When we met, Stacey and I shared the same Methodist beliefs, but over time we have come to consider ourselves more "spiritual" than attached to any one particular denomination. If there is any way you could make a set of prayer beads for the two of us so that we can restore that small tangible piece of connection even while separated by most of the continent, I would forever be grateful."

While Jamie was very grateful, I was, too. Her story touched my heart. Passion, love, friendship, emotions...that is what an artist lives and thrives on. It's what breathes the breath of life into their creations. Working on her prayer beads was an amazing experience for me, and I can only hope that I get to touch even more people with my work, as they touch me with their lives and stories.

The Sweater

I'm an odd duck. I tend to like things to be pristine, crisp, and new. However, I'm about to let you in on a little secret of mine. My absolute favorite piece of clothing is anything but pristine. In fact, it's...well, let me show you:



Not only is it a hideously hot shade of pink, but it's definitely seen better days. And yet, I wear this garment more than any other. It makes me feel all...artsy. It must be the life it's seen. It has stains from when I painted the first room I had to myself, and stains from painting my new room in a new house that I moved into. It has stains from staining furniture which I did as a volunteer project with Camp Fire, and it has stains from the first time I ever tried (and failed!) to cast resin. It still smells faintly of plaster, and has an epic hole of doom in the sleeve where it came a little too close to comfort with uber harsh chemicals. It has snags from my dremel, and bits of clay permanently adhered.

Most people would be ashamed to be seen in a knit hot pink sweater from the 80s that's three sizes too big for them, covered in paint and riddled with holes. But not me. I love the way it feels, and how it instantly puts me in the zone when I work. It's almost taken on a religious purpose, because it feels like when I put it over my head, I enter a ritual space of sheer creativity.

So whether it's to protect me from splattered house paint or from chemicals in the dark room, me and my sweater I ready to take it on.

So Starts a New Semester

This past Tuesday, January 19th, I started my second semester of art school. I quickly learned that the 8 until 5 straight with no break of studios would be the death of me, so for the first time, I had to drop a class. I truly love my school, and these classes look amazing! Here's the lineup:

Photography: Black and White Film

I was actually dreading this class. Photography is my sister's area, not mine. I was fortunate enough that my mum had a Minolta X-700 tucked away, so I had my camera. But the idea of taking pictures and then messing with chemicals just wasn't appealing.

But I'm quickly realizing that I am beyond excited for this class. I can't WAIT to learn how to use the camera, and to develop my own film. I have so many ideas, and the possibilities seem endless. There is something so magical about approaching a foreign medium: no expectations, so no disappointment. Only pure curiosity and passion.

Beginning Oil Painting

I'm not a painter. I've touched acrylic only when I absolutely have to. The only time I've ever touched oil paints was when I was stocking them at the local Michael's. It's a scary thought, a very messy proposal. And while I'm a little apprehensive, I'm very curious to see how this pans out! Who knows, I may have found a new love.

High Renaissance Art

A total last minute decision to replace the dropped glassblowing class, I haven't attended this class yet. The description looks promising. Apparently the class covers Da Vinci, Michaelangelo, and Raphael. It seems like those are definitely three artists I need to know, and I do love Italy. And this class meets TWICE a week- No more three hour night class like last semester!

So I'll probably end up posting several photographs and paintings this semester, as well as catching this blog up with revisiting past works and past topics.

~Katherine