Artist Residency in Motherhood

kristy March 6, 2020

In February of 202o I decided to embark on an official residence in motherhood, a series of projects to help quantify my experience with two babies last year and to honor the relics that have already disappeared from my daily life. I’m going to collagraph, monoprint, and make cyanotypes in addition to traditional mark making and whatever else grow out of this journey. Thank you for following along.

kristy.cavaretta

Thank you to everyone who came out to see us at @c

Thank you to everyone who came out to see us at @chasesgarage this weekend! I’m forever grateful that you choose to live with my art in your homes.

I’ll be at @oceanfirepottery on December 23 for last minute gifting!

For those who live away, I’ve listed my alphabet online, link in my bio!

Enjoy some woodblock inking zen. A gentle remind

Enjoy some woodblock inking zen.

A gentle reminder that I’ll be at @chasesgarage this Saturday from 11-5, with more than 30 other amazing artists!

#printmakingprocess #maineprintmaker #woodcutprint #blockprintingprocess

In the studio trying to maintain the momentum and

In the studio trying to maintain the momentum and good habits developed with my last project.

Today in the studio, little sketchbook finds on qu

Today in the studio, little sketchbook finds on quick cut linoleum.

I can’t wait to see what you all do with these.

I can’t wait to see what you all do with these. Gift them to newlyweds, decorate nurseries, or send a message to the world. 🤍💛✌️

These hand carved and hand printed prints will be available on the Seacoast at @chasesgarage Saturday December 9th & at @oceanfirepottery December 23.

I’ll also be posting them online after the sale at Chases for those who live away.

#maineartist #maineprintmaker #woodcutprint #reliefprint #mainegiftguide #hostessgift #weddinggift #babygift #nurserydecor #handmadegifts

On the floor sorting, signing, and stuffing close

On the floor sorting, signing, and stuffing close to 300 alphabet prints! All hand carved and hand printed.

Prints will be available 12/9 at @chasesgarage holiday sale!

Can’t make it to Chases? I’ll also have them at @oceanfirepottery 12/23 for you last minute shoppers!

After a week of fighting with the details printing

After a week of fighting with the details printing these blocks, I’m loving this bird’s eye view of them all together. I might need to get a woodblock alphabet poster made🤔

Here they are, two months worth of work compressed

Here they are, two months worth of work compressed into 30 seconds. Aren’t they cute?

Gold versions are in the works. They are all 9x12” woodblock prints and will be available at @chasesgarage Holiday Sale December 9th. Anything leftover will be posted online after the sale!

I finished carving my alphabet! Now to print like

I finished carving my alphabet! Now to print like a mad woman for the next 3 weeks.

This was such a great exercise, I’m so glad I did it. I learned and improved a lot, and showed myself I can work at the kitchen table while the kids are around. Nothing quite like a deadline to bounce you out of your comfort zone. It’s exactly what I needed.

Print previews will be coming in the next few weeks and the letters will be available at @chasesgarage Holiday Sale on Dec.9th

Look at me, printing two blocks at a time. I’m d

Look at me, printing two blocks at a time. I’m determined to have an alphabet for the @chasesgarage holiday sale December 9th

The final 6 blocks are drawn! Including an & and a

The final 6 blocks are drawn! Including an & and a re-do of the letter C.

As I fell into my groove with this project I started disliking the first handful that were made. I’m not going to redo them all right now, I’ve got a pretty hard deadline and need to keep moving, but C really bothered me and it’s a pretty common letter and my family initial so, I’m giving it the love.

Will I ever get one of those fancy phone holders o

Will I ever get one of those fancy phone holders or will I continue to take processes videos using stacks of books and my kids harmonica?

Filming is subpar but this alphabet is coming along nicely.

Currently on the kitchen table. Feeling like this

Currently on the kitchen table. Feeling like this next group of letters in progress is pretty sweet

There are stacks of letters in various states all

There are stacks of letters in various states all over my house. Feeling grateful for my family that puts up with their messy art-y mom.

I’m more than halfway through carving and feeling more motivated every day as I see them come together as a group.

The twins and I have gotten into a flow of afterno

The twins and I have gotten into a flow of afternoon project time around the kitchen table. I draw or carve while they color, or puzzle, or build. It’s not as productive as when they napped but it’s a sweet time and I like that they are seeing me work.

Also apparently I’m in a nostalgic R.E.M. phase 🤷‍♀️

I tried to get a jump on printing the first group

I tried to get a jump on printing the first group of my alphabet last week. I thought I’d quickly crank out a few dozen, check them off my list. Not a single print was usable. Why is printmaking like this? Why am I always so surprised?

#speedballprofessionalreliefink #artistsandcraftsmansupply #mainesrtist

I very very rarely have the kids in my mess of a h

I very very rarely have the kids in my mess of a home studio, but here we are. They were all excited to help test print their letters.

I just planned it out, and if I make 3 letters a week I can have the alphabet on hand for the holiday sale at @chasesgarage in December. Impossible?

#artistmotherco #maineprintmaker #maineartist #printmaking #woodcutprint

I’m super excited to see the first proofs of thi

I’m super excited to see the first proofs of this tedious block in blue after months of starts and stops carving it. This will be the first in a series of prints telling a story about bird messengers.

#maineartists #maineprintmaker #woodcutprintmaking #reliefprints #blueart #printmaking #printmaker

My mom did traditional Norwegian Rosemaling when I

My mom did traditional Norwegian Rosemaling when I was young and we lived in a very Norwegian town in northern Wisconsin. She was really good at it, had a steady hand, and was a perfectionist. I grew up surrounded by her beautiful pieces and as an artist always stayed far away from them as I tend to be grungy, messy, and totally imperfect.

So, I decided to be brave and embark on a decorative folk inspired alphabet project to meet her art form from where I am and see what comes of it.

I am starting with a B for my Ben and inspired by the B she made for me, ( my family nickname is Belles/Belle-belle/Beller) in slide 2.

Here’s to holding myself accountable and making 25 more 🤞

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