DIY Pipe Desk with Salvaged Door

I've always wanted a really long, thin desk. Somewhere to pile my mountains of pens and paper. A few months ago a door on the street caught my eye. I dragged it home and, with a little inspiration and help from Apartment Therapy and Mary Bicycles I built this beauty using pipes from the hardware store as the base. It's really sturdy and more than big enough to hold my mountains of paper scraps. All told it cost less than $100. If I ever find a great piece of wood I might swap out the top, but I'm really happy with it now.


You can see in one of the photos that one of the legs is a little crooked. Well, one swift kick and it straightened out. I'm sure that's not the proper way to do it, but it worked...


If you want to do this yourself it's really easy. The instructions on Mary Bicycles are great. I bought the pipe at Home Depot but got it cut down and threaded at a smaller plumbing store (I would have bought the pipe there too but they only sell it in 21-foot lengths, and most of the standard sizes from HD worked - it was just the four long pieces that had to be cut from 24" to 18").

Expo Baronesque

My art on nice granite walls!

The beautiful room.

I was at the vernissage for Baronesque, the exhibition to celebrate the first-year anniversary of Baron magazine, last night. It was great! I think it was hands-down the most beautiful space I have shown work in, and definitely one of the best group shows I've been included in as well. All the work was top-notch and very inspiring. A really nice mix of mediums too.

Julien Vallée, Alice Jarry, Marc Dulude, Karine Fournier, Mike Patten, Guillaume Simoneau, Guillaume BD and Josée Lecompte shared the walls with me.

The show is up until May 21st, from 9am - 5pm Monday to Friday and noon - 5pm Saturdays. It happens in the Maison du Conseil des Arts de Montreal at 1210, rue Sherbrooke Est (the beautiful building with huge columns on the corner of Beaudry across from Parc Lafontaine).

Upcoming Shows in April

There's a lot going on this month! Here's a quick rundown of where I'll be showing my work in the coming weeks. In all cases it's in the presence of several other talented artists who I feel honoured to share a wall with.

April 12: Baronesque

I am really excited to see who else is in this show. Local art magazine Baron celebrates one year of operation by putting on an exhibition of local contemporary art. It opens Tuesday, April 12, 5 pm - 7 pm at the Maison des Conseil des Arts de Montréal, 1210 rue Sherbroooke.


April 14 - 17: Papier 11

Papier is an art fair featuring works on paper. It is a rare opportunity to catch most of the city's major contemporary art galleries under one roof, and is, in my opinion, a not-to-be-missed event. I will have never-before-seen original drawings on display at the Maison Kasini booth, where I will also be displaying Papirmasse. If I get a chance I'm going to run off to the Galerie Pangée booth to paint with En Masse.

The Contemporary Art Galleries Association (AGAC) will open the 4th edition of PAPIER at the Place des Festivals, right in the middle of the Quartier des spectacles (coin Bleury & Maissonneuve), from April 14th to 17th 2011.


April 16: Machine Wash Cold/Tumble Dry Low

I can't wait for this one! MWC/TDL is the annual event where the super awesome screenprinting company Moniker puts artist designs on shirts, tote bags, and posters. This year the launch is bigger and better than ever, going down in a fantastic warehouse space in Griffintown. I am putting a free Papirmasse print in 50 tote bags, so make sure to arrive early if you want one! The day kicks off with a free family-friendly portion from 2pm-7pm, and then swings into full party mode from 9pm-3am. April 16th, 2011 at L’Espace Griffintown - 1314 rue Olier in Montreal. $10 after 9 pm, 18+


April 22: No Sleep Till Brooklyn

With less than a month away from their show in Brooklyn, New York at Rouge 58, Montreal based artists Alan Ganev, JP King, Tim Barnard and Regimental Oneton are putting an art show together at Underworld skate shop to raise funds for their upcoming trip and promote their latest artworks in Montreal. I'm putting a few pieces in the show too - probably some never-before-seen large format prints. No sleep 'Till Brooklyn happens at Underworld, 251 Ste-Catherine Street est from 8:00pm - 3:00am on April 22.

And last but not least...

Papirmasse is having an exhibition all month long at the S.P.A.C.E. Gallery in Vermont. The show is up right now, and we will be hustling on down to Burlington for First Friday on May 6, 5pm - 9pm. If you're in Vermont please come say hi! It'll be a fun chance to check out Papirmasse and get a taste of the affordable art project. I am looking forward to eating ice cream, which as far as I know is a mandatory Vermont tourist activity. Check out an article on the show here: http://www.7dvt.com, and let me know if there are other fun things I should check out while I'm down there.

As always, if you come to one of my shows and we haven't met - please come say hi! I love meeting new people and haven't bitten anyone in a long time.

Another Threadless entry :)

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I've turned my latest drawing into an entry for Threadless. It's a giant patterned deer head. The more votes the better, so please stop on by and cast yours if you happen upon this while the contest is still open.

The two detail shots above show the original drawing (at the bottom, with plenty of ink variation), and a 'flat' version of one solid blue. Basically it's a two or one colour print. I'm partial to the greater variation myself - I think it adds depth. I would be curious to hear other's thoughts on this.

Click on the images to see them larger.

Finished Work

I finished this drawing ages ago, but due to a broken CD drive the scan was stuck in la-la land for several weeks. So happy to see the finished product and get a chance to put it up here!

It's just Sharpie on paper, pretty large (about 22" x 30" if memory serves...). Click on the image for a better view.

I've been drawing a lot lately, so there will be more to come in the next few weeks.

Helicopter Painting! Distroboto!

This Helicopter painting of mine from 2009 will be exhibited at the Distroboto 10th Anniversary Art Show at Monastiraki on Friday, February 4 · 7:00pm - 10:00pm. Be there or be square! Monastiraki is located at 5478 Saint-Laurent in Montreal, QC (right next to Cagibi, where you will not pass up a chance to order the chili or nachos if you know what's good for ya).

Distroboto are art vending machines, made from converted old cigarette vending machines. They sell all sorts of stuff by artists, writers and musicians, all for the bargain price of $2. Most of the $$ goes back to the artists, so it's a great way to support the local scene as well as grab some cool stuff (also a great way to win over a first date, just sayin').

Here's an image of the New York Times article on Distroboto from back in the day. Congrats to the project for going strong for 10 long years. Here's to another 10!

Things I Love

1) This amazing book by famed book-designer Chip Kidd that my A+ boyfriend sneakily bought for me even though we agreed on no Christmas presents.


2) Four-eyed dog print by Chrix Morix (seen alongside my helicopter painting and Jacques Brel Papirmasse print).


3) My bad-ass new 'Projects' whiteboard, with what's going on listed in the order of Frontlines / Simmer / Backburner. I drew the categories and title in Sharpie so that they won't erase when I wipe down the board.


4) My bad-ass new desk, made from pipe and a salvaged door. Full post on this sucker to come soon!

Lucha Libre

New drawing for the pin-ups issue of Decover Magazine, a free Montreal arts mag that showcases the work of local artists. I made this one specially for them.

I wanted to turn the notion of a "pin-up" on its head a little. That's why I chose to use a man instead of a woman, and also used someone without an ideal body. I gave the guy a Lucha Libre mask because those dudes are all about performance and presenting an idealized masculine image (much like female pin-ups, who represent an idealized version of femininity). I liked the idea of a pin-up who is the centre of attention but betrays some self-consciousness; it's like he's wondering if he's really sexy enough to be up there. I think that's a feeling we all know too well. Don't worry, Lucha guy: you're super cute in your socks and underpants. Work it!

New Drawing!

All's been quiet on the blog front lately. I have been keeping busy restarting Papirmasse, painting with En Masse and doing a few Christmas card commissions, and just haven't been doing as much personal work lately.

All that changed this week when I finally had a bit of free time and sat down to a much needed day of one-on-one time with a Sharpie Paint marker and some nice paper. I'll post a final photo when this sucker is finished, hopefully by next week!

UPDATE: Here it is!




As you can see, En Masse has infiltrated my brain a bit. There's just something so nice about how easy it is to sit down with a pen and paper - 2 colours and you don't have to bother mixing paints. I am looking forward to the eventual return to my neglected studio, but in the meantime this really hits the spot.

Papirmasse is BACK! Affordable Art lives on

Papirmasse, the affordable art subscription, is BACK IN ACTION after a year-long hiatus! Are caps locks necessary? YES! This is exciting news, folks.

During our little nap, we restructured and found some partners in crime. Papirmasse is now produced by Maison Kasini in Montreal, a fantastic art house and small press located in the bustling Belgo building. This means that you can come and visit us, because we now have a permanent home where new releases and back issues will be displayed! I am pleased to be sharing the title of Head Honcho, and will retain the job of Art Director and Editor of the subscription.

Even more exciting, we're cheaper than ever. $5 a month - no catches. No added shipping, no hidden fees, no tricks. 5 bucks a month gets you 12 prints in the mail, with art on the front and writing on the back. Click here to subscribe.

If you're as excited as we are about these new developments, come and celebrate this Saturday at our new home in the Belgo: #408, 372 Ste. Catherine east, Montreal. 3-5 pm (that's 15h00 - 17h00). There will be prizes, free issues, and lots of great contemporary art to look at.


More details at:
www.papirmasse.com
www.maisonkasini.com
www.facebook.com/papirmasse
www.twitter.com/papirmasse

Countdown to Expozine 2010 (this weekend!)

It's almost here! Yes, the one-and-only event of the year that will thoroughly satisfy your inner art nerd/print dork/small press junkie, the amazing Expozine!

2 beautiful original paintings by graffiti artist extraordinaire Produkt.

For those who are selling, Expozine is like art camp for grown-ups, a chance to completely dork out with 300 like-minded vendors who are just as into talking the ins and outs of print as you. If you're a visitor, well, get ready. It's rare indeed to see this many unique handmade paper items under one roof. Posters, prints, books, original art, and zines can all be found in the same place for 2 scant days, and many vendors (myself included) offer up their goods at discounted prices for this weekend only.

Because I didn't blog about it last year, here are a few pictures of the (mostly traded) things I picked up last year. If any fellow vendors are reading this: let's trade again!

A ton of great stuff, mostly by JP King (who is super generous with trades).

Awesome poster.

Prints! Prints! Prints!

Zines! Zines! Zines!

Expozine, Montreal’s annual small press, comic and zine fair, will take place on Saturday, November 13 and Sunday, November 14, 2010, from 12 p.m. to 6 p.m. at 5035 St-Dominique (Église Saint-Enfant Jésus, Laurier Métro). Free admission.

Under Pressure Graffiti Festival 2010!!!!!!!

Under Pressure, aka the best damn thing that happens in Montreal in the summer, is gearing up for its 15th year this coming weekend. August 14th and 15th, come down and join the party at Peace Park and Foufounes Electrique (the former being just above Renée Levesque on St. Laurent, the latter...well, you know Foufes, don't you?). Why am I so excited? Because above and beyond being a long-term fan of the event, I was lucky enough to get to design their shirts this year! We went with a playing card theme and the phrase Down With the Kings as our mantra. Below are the results. For more info on the event, visit www.underpressure.ca Posters of these images will be available at the event and online at www.hellokirsten.etsy.com.

2 new shirts & Ampersands

I printed up an absolute ton of Ampersand posters this week, just for fun. About 40 big ones and 540 small ones! You can see them below.

But first! I threw one of the &s onto a shirt, and made another shirt based on the # sign. It's play-with-type time over here. The shirts are up at Threadless and if you voted for them I would very much appreciate it. Thanks :)

Link to vote: http://threadless.com/submission/290430/Ampersand

Link to vote: http://threadless.com/submission/290429/Random_Numbers

Aaaaaaaand, a whole bunch of ampersands below! &&&&&&. Right now they're on 12" x 18" posters, which are big and look amazing, and small 4" x 6" cards, which are fun.

Show in Toronto!

Packing up work for my show in Toronto! Details asap - stay tuned.