Fly'n Gypsy Arts & Graphics

Upcoming Bookmaking workshop This workshop will cover several book binding processes. Demonstrations of glue binding, stitch-binding, and complete building of a book will take place. Students are encouraged to bring a project (pages and embellishments recommended) for completion. Recovering, scrapbook style glue bound book, and stitch-bound traditional book are scheduled. The process of preparing book parts, assembly, weighting and drying your unique book will be covered. Dates & Times: 2-5pm, January 13, 20, and 27, 2011. Location: Expressions Graphics, 29 Harrison St., Oak Park, IL 60302. Please contact the instructor, Jessica Kronika for more information and to register Now... 847-722-7032 or artist@flyngypsyarts.com                                             Plate book with stitch binding, cloth pages,                                              metal plate insets and covers. J. Kronika 2009.                                              

Choosing the type and placement of art for your home or business                 Art is a personal preference, and the selection of art for your home or business allows for a variety of options. The best way to judge whether you will be happy with the art in the long run is to think about its lifetime appeal. The best fit for you will be art that integrates your favorite colors, style, subjects and pairs well with your existing or planned décor. The type of custom art that you select must also match your planned use of the space. If you are in a leased home, moveable art will be able to come with you, while murals remain integral to the space. If you are preparing a home for sale and designing art to increase the value of your space, murals may be ideal so long as the themes and colors are adaptable to another owner’s interior décor scheme. If you are selecting art for your place of business, the clientele will also be important in determining style and color schematics. For exam

What is custom art? Custom art consists of decorative, illustrative or abstract designs that take a variety of forms. Flat work can be painted directly onto the wall or can be mounted art in a variety of media on a paper, canvas or other two dimensional substrate. This substrate or base can be completely flat or painted to create an illusion of dimension via depth of image field or surface effects. Surface effects include texture, light reflecting embedded material and build up relief. Custom art can also come in three dimensional and sculptural applications, including works that project more dramatically from the wall than relief or fully three dimensional works that are mounted on static or movable bases. Bases for movable works include pedestals, hanging fixtures, and custom built easels.                 Flat works painted directly onto the wall are generally referred to as murals. These wall paintings can consist of a variety of paint or mixed media and cover small areas or

Relief & Intaglio Mixed Process Etching With instructor Jessica Kronika of Fly’n Gypsy Arts Location: Expressions Graphics, 29 Harrison St, Oak Park, IL 60304 Dates & Times: Fridays 2-5pm (9/30, 10/7, 10/14, 10/21, 10/28, 11/4, 11/11, 11/18, 11/25, 12/2); or 6-9pm (9/23, 9/30, 10/7, 10/14, 10/28, 11/4, 11/11, 11/25, 12/2, 12/9) Please register for your preferred time, sessions will be scheduled based on registration. Evening class will run into December due to third Friday gallery openings occurring on 9/16, 10/21, and 11/18. Class size: minimum 3 to maximum 10. Cost: $25 per session ($250 for 10 sessions); special discounted season session rate available $225 paid in full at registration. Some supplies will be provided. Deposit required with registration: $150. Overview: Students will learn the step by step process for creating unique and editioned prints with both relief embossment and intaglio surface effects. Demonstrations of resist techniques for relief etching, variou

A variety of techniques referencing painting were on display at this year’s Artropolis. Shin-Young An, “Limb Series: Unblinking”, oil on prepared newspaper, 30 X 30 inches. Image courtesy of Patrajdas website. At Molesworth Gallery of Dublin, Ireland, the abstract shapes of photorealist Patrick Redmond’s Untitled (Bubble series) glowed with the dynamic hues of the rainbow. Within the Focus Projects space, kasia kay projects gallery presented the large oil painted figures of Rim Lee. Across from their booth, in the main hall, Patrajdas arranged a selection of Shin-Young An’s Limb Series, oil paintings of delicately rendered figures and limbs exploring the impact of current issues represented by a prepared ground of newspaper articles. At Contemporary Works Lisa Holden’s large format mixed media works explore identity through a combined process involving photography, painting, and layering with digital tools. At Chosun Gallery of Seoul, Korea presented traditional Dak paste paper works b

Among the many delights cued up at this year's Artropolis, there are some signature returns and new offerings. It is the thirty first year of Art Chicago, which will partner with the Next Fair on the twelfth floor. On the eighth floor, the spring International Antiques Fair will be presented for the fourteenth year. Speakers, panels of experts, sculpture displays on Orleans Street, and an abundance of present artists, artworks, galleries and dealers make this show a must see Chicago destination this weekend, April 29th through May 1st, 2011. Hawk Gallery & Fair Guests, photo: J. Kronika A few offerings at Art Chicago include the stable artists of Carrie Secrist Gallery, new print works from resident artists and publishing projects with Anchor Graphics, sculpture and photography at Ken Saunders Gallery. Inside the booths of Next, emerging artists will present work at such gallery displays as Dunham Place Salon and Ada Gallery of New York, Mixed Greens, and Chicago's own Kavi

Symbolic Immersion: Fairy Mound, an experiential installation and other works in paint, print and drawing by J. Lynn Kronika. Explore the inner realm of the Crystalline Hall of Fairy and interact with the Will o’the Whisp. The Real World of Fairy Exhibit opens March 25th, with a reception from 6-10pm at the Life Force Arts Center, located at 3148 N. Lincoln Avenue, Chicago, IL 60657. Exhibit runs until May 27th, 2011 and will close with a reception that evening from 6-10pm. For more information please contact the artist: Jessica L Kronika at 847-722-7032 or artist@flyngypsyarts.com or contact the Executive Director, Joan Forest Mage at: 773-327-7224 or joan@LifeForceArts.org See the invitation details at: http://www.lifeforcearts.org/site/calendar/events-this-week/icalrepeat.detail/2011/03/25/4400/-/opening-reception-qthe-real-world-of-faerieq-art-show

As some of you may have heard, I have been creating one of a kind costumes. This set, inspired by historical and contemporary fashions, the Sun King of France, Louis the fourteenth, and a request from my photographer friend, Carol, is half way to completion. Last July, the photo below was taken of the completed Louis' costume. The companion piece, for a female, is underway at this time. All of my costumes are completely custom fitted, and hand sewn. The materials include bought and found fabrics. I prefer to recycle fabrics from the thrift store for some portions. For example, the long coat fabric, which includes the light sage with embroidery and woven gold stripes is a reclaimed set of curtains. The image at right is the consort's costume, in it's draped and pinned format. Prior to this stage the bodice structure was built using heavy canvas, mesh, and binding tape. The final costume will have a chemise which is worn under the bodice and two layers of skirt. Look for mo

This is a recent mixed media work in my sketchbook. The original drawing is in graphite and conte pencils. Into the drawing I am adding clippings from magazines to create the collage in the trees you see here. This drawing was done around Halloween, thus the robust pumpkins and orange leaved trees on the right. I will keep adding images as I work on this one!

Works of Jessica L. Kronika on display at Martini Room in Elgin. Urban Abstractions: Birds and Buildings is a series of acid-etched brass plate and laser printed digital photographic prints utilizing mixed media. Inspired by the ongoing construction and deconstruction of urban growth, these works bridge traditional press printing and contemporary digital and laser print technologies. On display starting on Wednesday, January 19th, 2011, at the Martini Room, located at 161 East Chicago Street, in Elgin, IL 60120. Doors open at 4:30pm on Wednesday at Martini Room. The Gallery reception opens at 6pm. The works will be on display until February 23rd, 2011. The Artist will be present Wednesday's February 9th and 23rd during the show from 6-10pm to answer questions about the inspiration and process. All works are for sale, in custom frames. The Martini Room is a bar/club with a 21 years and over minimum. Spiral to Eclipse, digital photographs, laser print, acid etched brass plate monop