Mythology Exhibit Time Lapse Video

Mythology Exhibition: Art of E. Belkholm

The Pine Center for the Arts presents: Mythology, Artist Erica Belkholm’s latest series of large-scale figure drawings.

*Read the Pine City Pioneer's artist interview.*

The opening reception will take place Friday, September 9th from 4 – 7 p.m. at 265 5th Street SE, Pine City, Minnesota. The exhibit will be open to the public until October 1st,  Tuesdays, Wednesdays & Thursdays from 3 – 6 p.m.

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the East Central Regional Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Pine City Pioneer Interview

I was interviewed by the Pine City paper!  It's mostly regarding my upcoming solo show at the Pine Center for the Arts.

For some reason it's so much more meaningful than my column. Probably because it's all about me...

Audience Choice Award

YOU GUYS!

I won the Audience Choice Award at the North of the 45th Art Show at Northern Michigan University! And like all the best awards, it comes with dolla dolla billz, y'all.

Assured, 2015 - the winning piece

I didn't get to see much of the show via the internet, but I did get to review the artists participating.  Many of them are from Minneapolis, and I'm at least acquainted with most of their work.

Minnesota State Fair, 2016

Sight, 2016

My newest work, Sight, has made it to the FINAL jury round at the Minnesota State Fair, and will be exhibited for the duration in the Fine Arts Building.

I can't wait for the fair to get here so I can check it out.

Williams Prize

I've currently got work at the Silpe Gallery in West Hartford, CT, as part of the Williams Prize in Drawing for Emerging Artists competition.

This is very exciting, and I am not at all devastated by the cost of shipping an over-sized package from Minnesota to Connecticut.



DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA HOW MUCH IT COSTS TO SHIP AN OVER-SIZED PACKAGE TO CONNECTICUT?!

Check out a slideshow of all the work here!

Huh.

Being an artist is as weird as you make it.

Here's to realizing your to-do list is supremely awesome.

Cover Art

CHECK IT. I am like legit and crap. This. This Ebook cover I drew will be the thing that makes me. Just you watch.

Cover art by me.

So, funny story.
The publisher contacted me and was all "Hey, can we use that goat skull you drew?"
And I was all, "What? Of course! ...wait. Which one?"

I have 14 drawings of goat skulls. I counted.

Sight - finally finished, you guys.

You guys.

It's finally done, you guys.

Colored pencil on paper. Gold leaf for the final touch. 42"x34"

It's huge, and I didn't realize how much time huge takes.  I've done pretty big before.  I've even done oversized.  But this,- this stupid drawing is so stupid big I can't store it anywhere, or transport it flat, or use my regular drawing board.
And you know what?
I'm starting another drawing the exact same size.

WOO!

It doesn't have to be anything

My latest article for the Times.

North of the 45th Exhibition

You guyyyyys!

I have got two pieces in this show, and am so proud.  It sounds amazing, and seeing a few of the other accepted artist's work, I'm pretty floored to be in it.  It includes artists from above the 45th parallel.

If you find yourself in the Marquette, Michigan area, stop into the DeVos Art Museum in Northern Michigan University from June 3rd to August 7th.

How not to interact with an artist.

I recently had this interaction while at a gallery exhibition, at which I was the featured artist.

“I love your artwork.” beamed a patron, coming up to shake my hand.

“Thank you.” I replied.

“Are you still in school?”

“No.” I laughed, “I’ve graduated already.”

“Oh.  Are you going to college?”

“...I,- no,” I stuttered,” I graduated already.  Ten years ago.  From the U.”

“Ah, good for you!  What did you study?”

This is where I start to rethink my life choices.

“...um.  Art.”

“Oh!  Well, look at you!” my questioner smiled and patted me on the shoulder encouragingly, “So, what is it you do?”

“...This?” I wondered out loud.

“This?” my questioner inquired politely, “You mean, you actually do art?”

I glanced around at my art hanging on the walls, beseeching it to speak up and help me with this ego-puncturing conversation.

“What I mean is,” clarified the arts patron, “how do you pay your bills?”

“...I bring my art to galleries, and people buy it.”

“Yes, of course!  But what do you do the rest of the time?”

“Art.”

My questioner was getting frustrated by my apparent lack of understanding.  He sought for a way to ask the question so my tiny brain would comprehend.

“What occupation is listed on your taxes?”

“Artist.”

“So you’re a teacher?”

“No.”

“But… who pays you?”

“The people who buy my art.”

He went silent for a moment, considering me.

“Are you married?” he asked.

I groaned inwardly, “Yes.”

“And your husband is okay with this?” he gestured to my art on the walls as though they were evidence of a mild scandal.  

I stared at him, nonplussed.  

“What I mean is,” he continued delicately, sensing my offence, “he doesn’t mind that you’re an artist?”

I raised my eyebrows and said nothing, entirely unsure how to handle this.

The questioner smiled politely and waited for me to respond.

“...I was an artist before we started dating.”

“Oh of course.  But I mean he doesn’t have a problem with supporting you?”

“You know what, I think I need some more wine.  I’m gonna go grab that.”


If you think that isn't a satisfying ending, you are absolutely right. I'm not entirely sure what my witty retort should have been.

Speed Drawing Video - Sight

Video - Bold: Part 1

My first art video!

This activity is made possible by the voters of Minnesota through a grant from the East Central Regional Arts Council thanks to a legislative appropriation from the Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund.

Satiate your voyeuristic inclinations; watch me draw! Am I wearing pants? Who knows!?

McKnight Grant - CAPP

Tomorrow evening I'll be at the Mora middle school, doodling with folks and talking about my experiences with the "I" of the "SWIM" acronym, and teasing the kids about traumatizing me for requesting tutorials on how to draw dragon-unicorns fighting a pirate-minotaur on a tightrope.

The whole event is the brainchild of my elementary school art teacher, who is still just as excited about art today as she was 20 years ago.  

Back in February I came to give a presentation to the fourth, fifth and sixth grade Challenge students (in my day we called in 'enrichment'.  They're the smart kids who need more advanced projects.) about illustrating books.  My presentation wound up not filling up the time allotted, so I drew them whatever they requested for that part.  It was a resounding success.  For the past two months I've had kids approaching me on the street and in the grocery store, "Hey, you drew a guinea pig riding a rainbow!  I asked for that!"

Later in the week I spent a day doing one-on-one advice and troubleshooting time, wherein each kid told me about their story, how they planned to illustrate it, and what they needed help on.  It was exhausting and hilarious; these kids are great storytellers, and I can't wait to see their final books.

**Update**
It was awesome, and here's a picture!

ECRAC Grantee Art Show

Opening: Saturday, April 2nd at 5 p.m. at the East Central Regional Arts Council Gallery in Braham. I am one of the featured artists!

The show will also be open weekdays April 4th to May 20th, 2016 from 9 am to 4:30 pm each day.

It should be a good time, I hear many of the grantees are musicians who will be performing at the opening.

Map to the gallery

This activity is made possible by The McKnight Foundation and also the voters of Minnesota thanks to a legislative appropriation from the arts and cultural heritage fund.

I AM - Altered Esthetics Exhibit

I am participating in the Altered Esthetics show I AM, opening this Friday, March 4, from 5-7pm, at the Southern Theater in Minneapolis.

This is a exhibition of self portraits, and is part of the Guerrilla Girls Twin Cities Takeover.  I am beyond excited to be a part of this.

It looks like a great show, and will be up until April 5th.

Copy it!

New arts column about copying.

Altered Esthetics

I will be participating in Altered Esthetics upcoming show, I AM.  Beyond excited to be part of the Guerrilla Girls Takeover.

 

More information later.

CCFA Show

I will be the featured artist at the Cambridge Center for the Arts from

January 15 to February 27.

The Artists' Reception will be Friday, January 15, from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m.

Open to the public.  Come for the wine, stay for the art!

Map to the location

January 15 to February 27

Regular Exhibition Hours: 

Tuesdays & Saturdays from 12 p.m. to 4 p.m.

Thursdays 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

This activity is made possible by a grant from the East Central Regional Arts Council with funds generously provided by the McKnight Foundation. Thank you ECRAC!