Best Drawing Event: Monday Nights at Fatso's

Photo by John Clayton

The Fourth of July and the American spirit lingered at Fatso's last night when models for the Monday night drawing sessions pulled out the stops with USA apparel for the event Red White and Drew .

The themed drawing sessions by The Thieves Guild every first Monday of the month include special music, costumes, and sets appropriate to each month's theme.  

Artworks from those attending these sessions are now on view at The Phoenix Gallery. Each artist brings their unique style to the drawings, paintings, and photographs that are exhibited.  Check this show out if you are downtown. 

Jen standing in front of a painting by Leo Hayden. 

Photo by Leo Hayden

Members of the Thieves Guild

The WIld West FIlm Project and Imagining The Future of Lawrence

Free State Film Festival

One of our favorite events at the Free State Film Festival was the Wild West Film Contest. This yearly event is a film competition that challenges teams of filmmakers to create a 5 minute film in 48 hours.  Along with a time restraint, contributors must adhere to rules that are top secret until the contest begins.This year, the films opened with "What are you doing here?"

A big shout out to Jason Badgett's super hero/where are they now film  Ameriman.  Jason tweets "My trilogy of films didn't win 1st place, but the judges awarded us the special "WTF" award for our efforts."

pic.twitter.com/kEEaXM2bFg

Imaginings

We investigated an event that challenges Lawrence residents to think about what Lawrence might be like in the future. Imagings participants gathered in a building on the Haskell campus on Sunday for contemplation and discussion.  As we enter the room of chatty people, we encounter a crazy sign that reads "Imagings...caution....time portal ahead." 

A variety of ideas were shared in small groups, but we heard many comments about keeping local neighborhoods vital. 

Outlaw Literature: Pioneer Press visits Lawrence

Pioneer Press visits Lawrence

A farm outside of Leavenworth called "The Hard Fifty" is home to a zine cooperative that is way cool. Pioneer Press creates, prints, and travels with zines of all subjects.  Their speciality is DIY and "how to" guides. Some of the zines are printed into small books.  Adam Gnade's book The Do It Yourself Guide To Fighting the Big M** Sad is about dealing with everyday life. Another book we spot is a how to guide for cycling across the country.

A launch party on Massachusetts Street today celebrates the acquisition of a new trailer for Pioneer Press via a Rocket Grant.  The trailer will be used for traveling as Pioneer Press distributes and sells zines. Although this impressive mobile cooperative will be in other cities this summer, they promised they would stop by Lawrence again sometime soon.

Visit the Pioneer Press site at http://pioneerspress.com/

The new zine mobile was purchased with funds from a Rocket Grant

Some of the zines have been printed into books

Touring a Beer Factory: Pilsner Urquell

Saint Augustine, Patron Saint of Brewers

The famous Charles bridge in Prague is lined statues of saints, including St. Augustine, patron saint of brewers. Beer is a very important staple in the Czeck republic, and many Czecks tout its health benefits.  In a city where beer is cheaper than water, we wanted to investigate the inner workings of a local beer factory. We cut to the chase and immediately ventured on a day trip to The Pilsner Urquell Beer Factory in Plzeň. 

WIlly Wonka-esque gates introduce us to the factory that was started in 1843.  We signed up for a tour that included a detailed map, view of the facilities, a bus, history, and beer tasting.  Our guide gave us comprehensive statistics on amounts of beer brewed per day ( which was a lot), and the beer making process.

Detailed map worthy of a Nerd Nite presentation

Inside the Pilsner Urquell Factory

bottles of beer

Abby in front of a selection of beers

Unique beer tasting of fresh, unfiltered beer

We encountered a trippy panoramic movie, mannequins demonstrating the old time beer process, and barrels exhibiting an array of grains and hops.  We left with a greater understanding of the scope of history of this beer, and a Pilsner Urquell hat. 

Prague: Larryville Artists Investigates

Larryville Artists will take a huge field trip to the city of Prague.  We will engage in tough, investigative reporting to see how the hipster city of Prague matches up to our dear Larryville. We will be on the lookout for pie, beer, and cool events in this famed city.  Will they have kickball?

We will give our detailed report when we get back.  In the meantime, please visit our dear friends at The Larryville Chronicles for updates on what is happening in Lawrence. You can find them here: http://larryvillechronicles.blogspot.com/
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Kaw Valley Kickball Update
 Last night brought pleasant weather to watch KVKL kickball.  Here are our pics:

View of Last Night's GOTW at Hobb's Stadium. 

Adrian from Brew Ballers.  

The Ballers sadly lost their game to In Style yesterday afternoon. 

Invention versus Observation and the Role of Memory

This graph dedicated to Nicholas Ward.  His documentary film project on community mural making has taken years to complete.  Good news is that he is almost finished!  We will keep you posted

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Artist Approach: Invention and Observation
Artist are always trying to unlock the mysteries behind what makes a good draftsman. Drawing books often linger on subjects of value or line quality. However, good drawing is a long process that starts when we are children and is slowly developed through critical thinking, observation, and experiment.  Kindergartners are inventive and use amplification, distortion, and symbols, while older kids strive for realism and rules. For mature artists, the role of memory is utilized,  using a combination of invention and sensitive observation. Memory tends to recall the simplest structures, while exaggerating characteristics.  We memorize things as brighter, bigger, or uglier than they actually are.

Edgar Degas wrote about his approach:   " It is very well to copy what one sees.  It is much better to draw what one has retained in one's memory.  It is a transformation in which imagination collaborates with memory.  It reproduces only what is striking, that is to say, necessary. Thus, one's recollections are liberated from the tyranny that nature exerts.
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Congratulations to all of the graduates!  Here we see artist Brian Hawkins with his cap and gown.

Is it summer, yet?

"Legz for Dayz" by KU Visual Art senior Solace Naeymi. 

Part of the Visual Art Senior Show on view Friday

With this chilly weather, it may not seem like summer, yet. However, we've had some interesting art event opportunities come across our desk that we would like to share.  We're getting mad organized and placing these dates on our main newsroom calendar. 

Mark your Calendars:
Visual Art Senior Show Reception is Friday May 16 at 7:30 at Art and Design. The gallery will have longer hours then usual for this graduation weekend.

M(i)(A)cro: A contemporary Drawing Exhibit.  This event also starts on Friday, May16, and will feature five artists from around the country. Also, mark down  John Paul McCaughey's exhibit starting May 23rd at the Arts Center.  He is the printmaking artist in resident at The Arts Center.

Steamroller Event: A giant bock print event will happen at the Lawrence Arts Center May 30.  These blocks are so big, they will need a steamroller to print them.

Art Tougeau  The art car parade enthusiasts are getting their cars ready for this annual event which seems to get better every year.  The parade will be on May 31.

 Kaw Valley Kickball. Sixteen days until kickball, and summer officially begins in Lawrence when Kaw Valley Kickball starts.  Team captains have already met, and regular season begins on June 1.  Hobbs stadium is waiting for us.