IT’S IN THE CARDS:
TAROT FOR OBAMA
fundraising event
Friday, October 17, 6-9 pm

I’ve been hard at work on this new issue for the past few days — and I think it’s going to be one of my best yet. Inspired by the spirit of Doomed Queens past, I’ve written a piece about five ways Sarah Palin may yet be a Doomed Queen. There’s also an exclusive-only-for-subscribers raffle to win an autographed archival print ($90 value) of a drawing from the book.

For those of you in the New York area, I’ve included an events schedule for my Brooklyn gallery, Kris Waldherr Art and Words. It includes information about the upcoming Doomed Queens book launch and art exhibition, which (appropriately enough) will be a Hallowe’en celebration. Fun!

On the art end, I’ve six more full page drawings to go, out of fifteen. Most of the spot drawings are finished or can be filled out with old drawings and woodcuts. (Did I mention that I’ve included period art in Doomed Queens? These pieces range from medieval manuscript paintings to Victorian etchings. I think they give the book a rich playfulness.) Of these last six drawings, five of them are started (ie: sketched and transferred onto watercolor paper); one awaits a last piece of photo reference before I can start on it.

On the text end, my editor just sent me second page proofs. These mainly consist of moving a comma here, a sentence break there. In other words, we’re very close to the end and are just burnishing the manuscript to a sheen.

And what of the open studio for Kris Waldherr Art and Words, my little storefront studio-gallery? Well, it’s apparently engendered a lot of buzz in the ‘hood. Those who attended the open studio seemed stunned by what they discovered here and lingered a while to drink in the atmosphere. I guess Arts and Crafts-style ataliers aren’t run of the mill, even here in hipster Brooklyn. A typical comment: “I would have never expected to find this here. But then I would have never expected to find this anywhere. It’s so beautiful.” Based on others’ recommendations, people have been knocking on my door to view art, to buy books, ask questions about my work, solicit advice about publishing, and more.

This has forced me to consider what I intend for my studio-gallery. Do I want to be in retail? Not in the traditional sense — I don’t want to be a storekeeper or gallerina. But I do love the idea of creating an environment to share my work with the public, where the art and books on display just happen to be for sale. I also love the idea of hosting events where I can create experiences that offer beauty, wit and wisdom, especially if they inspire others to go forth and do good in the world.

In a much smaller, rudimentary way, Kris Waldherr Art and Words (the storefront) is my Red House. I intended it as a physical place where I could explore ideas about beauty and environment. The reason I chose to rent a storefront, instead of a private studio, was because it offered more opportunities for sharing with the community.

So toward that end, Kris Waldherr Art and Words will be officially open to the public Saturdays 12 to 4pm. In the autumn, we’ll start presenting events such as readings, a film series, even a tarot night or two. Click here for more information and a small preview of what we’re planning.

The entrance to Kris Waldherr Art and Words.

Art on display. Some of my children’s book paintings were hung at kid height, to be better appreciated by those under four feet tall.

The reading nook. Notice the artistic contribution by Thea.

More art on display. Many of the pieces are the small paintings from The Book of Goddesses and The Lover’s Path.

More work on display, including my Cupid and Psyche violin.

The kids really enjoyed looking at art. Here a few of them are discussing whether the pegasus is a cow or a horse or a bird. No consensus was reached.

Right now, I’m back to working on Doomed Queens. The end is in sight, which is a good thing — everything is due by July 7th (which is less than a month away. Yikes.).

Though I’ve posted this over on my “events” page, I thought I should mention this here.

I’m opening my new studio/gallery to the public for the first time in June, as part of the Flatbush Artists Studio Tour! Autographed books, art, prints, cards and decks will be available for purchase. 27 artists will be participating in this self-guided studio tour located in historic Victorian Brooklyn.

Here’s the pertinent info:

June 7 - 8, 2008, noon to 5pm:

Kris Waldherr Art and Words
1501 Newkirk Avenue (entrance on Marlborough Road)
Brooklyn, NY 11226

Directions: Q train to Newkirk Avenue. Studio is around the corner from subway.
Street parking is available.
Map and driving directions.
for further info: e-comment at artandwords dot com.

I hope to see some of you then!