Lord's Army

Written in 2007:

I admit I used to love to sing "I'm in the Lord's Army" in bible school and what not, but on my way to the studio this morning I saw a big van with "God's army" on the back and it made me cringe. To use the analogy of Army you have to consider everything that the word entails. Enemies, guns, destruction, innocent blood shed, families away from their loved ones, often times of  famine and increased poverty...etc. Who exactly are Christians trying to kill? Now I realise that all that is meant by this metaphor is working for Christ to "save" others (from what to what I'm not sure) but do we really want to teach our children to wage war against non believers? There are other analogies that, while they are not as horrific, are still brutal. One that is often used and sometimes over used is workers harvesting a crop. Another example is being fishers of men. What I find interesting is that all of these analogies deal with something or someone intrusively taking something out of its natural habitat and ending its purpose and its life to fulfill the worker's or soldier's needs. Knowing this, how can we help but examine Christian Evangelism? Is Christian Evangelism done solely for the good of the "lost" or is it done for selfish reasons. Beyond that, is it done because it is something we want to do or because we were told to do it?

I wish the word Evangelism would fade from existance. Many of my friends and family have battle wounds from Christians in the name of Evangelism. What the wounded need, what we all need is friendship. Pure, unconditional friendship. This is the way Christ intended us to live. Sharing life with each other.

Inspiration and new direction

I have been inspired by a fellow blogger artist to try to sketch using only lines. I like blending and I'm good at it but I want to try getting a more illustraited feel and he has inspired me to try. Even in his beautiful life drawing he keeps that wonder feel of illustration.

I also was inspired to apply for an art teaching position. Unfortunately the position was filled rather quickly but I realized what a passion I have for teaching art. I got really excited and nervous yet not nervous enough to stop me from taking action. I'm going to keep looking for open positions. If you know of any in Oklaohoma put in a good word for me and let me know about it :)
Oh and I'm still trying to get someone to get my website set up. If you know of anyone who could help me out please let me know.

Self-Portrait
Graphite and mixed media on paper
(c) Kristen Martin Cowan 2005

This is an older piece that I thought I would share with you.

I stumbled upon this today.

and this...

Amazing isnt it?

In other news, I'm finishing up a research proposal on the effects of art therapy on depressed elderly individuals living in their own homes and in nursing homes. The paper writing is crappy but the actual experiment is going to be exciting. I cant wait to find out what the results are.

Lapse in time

My friend and fellow artist, Jeff Littlejohn asked me just today if I was still writing my art blog and sadly I had to say that I hadn't posted anything in a while. That made me pretty sad so here I am trying to pick it back up again. To be honest I haven't really done any new drawings or paintings in a while either. I wish I didn't have to have a day job because thats when I do most of my work. Now when I get home from work its usually 9 or 10 pm and I dont want to do anything but relax hang out with my hubby.
But listen to me. I've always hatted giving excuses so I'm moving on to something else.

Alfred Stieglitz
Georgia O'Keeffe (1918)

I watched a movie about Georgia O'Keeffe the other day. It wasn't the best movie about an artist I have seen but it was still great. I was reminded in one really beautiful scene why I am pursuing art therapy. Joan Allen was really amazing and portrayed the pain that she must have felt so well. I searched and searched for that clip on the internet so I could share it here, but couldn't find it.
I have always admired O'keffe's paintings but I do more now after having watched that movie.

I had never seen her drawings before. These are some of her earliest works and are some of the most beautiful things she did in my opinion.

Abstraction White Rose, 1927

Wave, Night, 1928

As you might know, I am getting married in 2 months and afew days so needless to say I have been up to my eyeballs in things to do. Its all pretty exciting but I'm ready for everything to fall in place and the day to be here. I am ready to be Mrs. Cowan!

Here is the past due picture of the painting that was in the show "Doing What We Can to Help" at the Mabee Gerrer Museum of Art in November. The photo quality isnt excelent (a retake is needed) but I would love to know what you think of the painting.

Still life with cans 

acrylic on canvas

(c) Kristen Martin Cowan

A new post is way past due. My apologies.

Ok great news! I am going to be in my first exhibit tonight at Maybee Gerrer Museum of Art. The show is called Doing What We CAN to Help and is a food drive for the Shawnee Salvation Army. It starts at seven and lasts till nine. Bring a can of food or two to get in. If you cant come tonight don't worry. The show will be displayed until Nov. 22nd. I will post pictures from the opening evening soon.

The project I am working on currently is a sketchbook for Art House gallery in Atlanta, Georgia. Art House Gallery is getting together a Sketchbook Library including about 1,000 sketchbooks from artists all over the world. The Sketchbook Library will be apart of a touring exhibit. The Library will be in Atlanta, New York, L.A., Chicago and St. Louis beginning the first of the year.

I also have been asked to be in an exhibit next year at IAO gallery. I am very excited about this opportunity. My mentor and friend Sunni Mercer is going to be in the show as well and I am so excited and feel really privileged to get to show with her. I will have more details about this show as the time draws near.

This has been an exciting time for me. When I started out the year I never dreamed that I would get so many great opportunities. Who knows what else could happen. The years not over yet.

Blessings,

Kristen

Here are a couple of small drawings I have done recently.

Enjoy.

Hello. Its been a while I know.




I had an interesting weekend. I will spare you the ugly parts and stick to the cool parts. I got to go with my fience to a reptile show; My first one ever I might add. It was pretty enlightening. I got to see cool little things like these...
























Arent they beautiful. I'm still not keen on the snakes but some of them are really beautiful. While I was with these beautiful creatures I got to meet some of their really great handlers and owners. Jeff Littlejohn is a guy who breeds skinks(not skins. so sorry about that) but also does incredible art work. Go here to see it. jefflittlejo.googlepages.com
I got to my point in a round about way but those beautiful creatures have inspired me so I felt it important to share with you all.

The sound (unfinished) 11"x14"

I've started my classes this semester and I think I'm going to like them alot. I'll have some work from them to put up here soon.

This piece I posted a while ago but I've cropped it so it looks better and is easier to see. Its all I have to share for now.

I'm getting antsy.
I need to be improving and promoting. They both kind of depend on each other though. I need to improve to have things that people will be interested in and I need to be promoting so people will know me. Time is my enemy at present.
I do have a new Myspace for my art. Check it out! www.myspace.com/breathingroomforthesoul

My evacuation routes project is going pretty well. It got off to a slow start but I'm half way done with them and my boss is really liking what I'm doing. I couldn't be happier.

Check back for new photos of my art.

First Art Related Job

I was unofficially hired yesterday as a designer for the Snu alert department at my university. I will be drawing maps of each building to be posted and used in case of an emergency to access esscape routes.
Its a start and I'm very greatful.

These are some stamps that I designed in my Vector and Raster class a year ago. I was never able to get them posted. There are alot about these that I would change now if I had the chance, but I still like them. Its just a begining.

Babies

This was my first attempt at drawing babies. They are very different from kids and adults.

Frida

Frida Kahlo was an amazing artist.

I really admire her honesty and the feelings that she put into her work. I think that if I were to compare myself with any artist it might be her. Not that I am at a point in my art where I am as developed stylisticly as she, but the feeling of her art resonates with me.I just wanted to take time to recognize her.

Sketches

I actually want to add some color to these two.

These last sketches were done last semester for a project in a class.

Progression

The color oil paintings were done this summer,

the big drawings were done a couple of years ago in Drawing I

and the small drawings were done in High school.

Illustrations

Little People

Adobe Illustrator

9"x9"

Metalic

Adobe Illustrator

9"x9"

Here are my very first illustrations done in my Vector and Raster class. I learned so much this semester in that class. I also made a website in Adobe Illustrator so once I get it up and running you can go to http://www.kristenmartin.com/ and see the rest of my work. For now have a great day and a wonderful holiday season!

Artwork

These are some charcoal and graphite drawings that I did a year ago. I would love to get my work from the summer up on here but its still in progress. I will post some images from my Illustraitor class soon though so dont forget to look for it soon.

One Week's Worth of Food Around Our Planet

I got this from http://www.fixingtheplanet.com/one-weeks-worth-food-around-our-planet



Japan: The Ukita family of Kodaira City Food expenditure for one week: 37,699 Yen or $317.25




Italy: The Manzo family of Sicily Food expenditure for one week: 214.36 Euros or $260.11 Favorite foods: fish, pasta with ragu, hot dogs, frozen fish sticks




Germany: The Melander family of Bargteheide Food expenditure for one week: 375.39 Euros or $500.07




United States: The Revis family of North Carolina Food expenditure for one week: $341.98 Favorite foods: spaghetti, potatoes, sesame chicken

Mexico: The Casales family of Cuernavaca Food expenditure for one week: 1,862.78 Mexican Pesos or $189.09 Favorite foods: pizza, crab, pasta, chicken



Poland: The Sobczynscy family of Konstancin-Jeziorna Food expenditure for one week: 582.48 Zlotys or $151.27 Family recipe: Pig's knuckles with carrots, celery and parsnips



Egypt: The Ahmed family of Cairo Food expenditure for one week: 387.85 Egyptian Pounds or $68.53 Family recipe: Okra and mutton



Ecuador: The Ayme family of Tingo Food expenditure for one week : $31.55 Family recipe : Potato soup with cabbage



Bhutan: The Namgay family of Shingkhey Village Food expenditure for one week: 224.93 ngultrum or $5.03 Family recipe: Mushroom, cheese and pork



Kuwait: The Al Haggan family of Kuwait City Food expenditure for one week: 63.63 dinar or $221.45
Family recipe: Chicken biryani with basmati rice



China: The Dong family of Beijing Food expenditure for one week: 1,233.76 Yuan or $155.06
Favorite foods: fried shredded pork with sweet and sour sauce



United States: The Caven family of California Food expenditure for one week: $159.18
Favorite foods: beef stew, berry yogurt sundae, clam chowder, ice cream



Mongolia: The Batsuuri family of Ulaanbaatar Food expenditure for one week: 41,985.85 togrogs or $40.02 Family recipe: Mutton dumplings



Great Britain: The Bainton family of Cllingbourne Ducis Food expenditure for one week: 155.54 British Pounds or $253.15 Favorite foods: avocado, mayonnaise sandwich, prawn cocktail, chocolate fudge cake with cream



Chad: The Aboubakar family of Breidjing Camp Food expenditure for one week: 685 CFA Francs or $1.23 Favorite foods: soup with fresh sheep meat