We made pop-up books in typography class today!

Backyard

Well friends, I'm back to it! Back in Jackson. Back to school. Back in routine.

It's going to be good and it's going to be new.

I live off-campus now, which is a tremendous blessing. Loving every bit of it. There's something really special about making a home, decorating, making meals, keeping the house clean, having visitors. Oh, and rooming with Cari Phillips...dream. 

My internship in Colorado was one of the greatest things I've ever done and I promise I will tell you more about it soon, but I want to keep this post quick. But I am super excited to move forward with my artwork and see what God has in store for me next.

In contrast to last year's three studio art classes both semesters (Drawing, Graphic Design, and Photography), I only have one this semester: Typography! Hence, photo above. So I'm sure I'll be putting up various projects from that class but I'm hoping that I will have a little more time to continue working on my own photography and multimedia collage work as well. So be on the lookout for that.

Another post coming soon to tell all about Colorado and show some of the things I worked on while I was there!

New Shop!

"Boy in red"

Folks, it's official. I now have a brand spankin' new Etsy shop dedicated entirely to my personal artwork! Take a fresh look at it here.

My first items for sale are a collection of collage prints called the Whimsical Child Series. These are four images I created since being here in Greeley. They were created simply out of a love of pattern, shapes, and the whimsical minds of children. I'd love for you to take a look, share with friends, and tell me what you think! I'm really enjoying the direction I've been going with my art and am super excited to continue to create new pieces.

"Girl in pink"

"Boy in yellow"

"Boy in teal"

Each of the prints are offered individually as 8x10s and 11x17s. Or they can be purchased as sets of four. Enjoy!

Potomac: Two

This is my second entry for the Potomac project with Tim Coons. It's my photo response to the song "Sing Your Song Over Me/ Do Lord Remember". This song is the single for the album and it is really beautiful. Recognizing my smallness. Knowing God is mighty and realizing that he is mighty for me. Crying for him to remember me in my smallness. Which he faithfully does and in the most beautiful ways.

This project is a super neat music/photography collaboration. If you have instagram and/or enjoy taking pictures, definitely join in on this. Tim's hope is to get as much participation in this project as possible. He puts out a new song each week and throughout the week he asks people to take photos in response to the music. That's it. Just tag the photo on instagram with "#potomacproject" and it will automatically show up on the website. Also, best photo each week will be included in his album artwork. Take a look at the photos and music so far here!

Three Bigs

So I have a few new things coming up very soon! First and foremost, I'll be opening up a new Etsy shop that is strictly my own personal creations. Fabric & Shoestring will be kept only for selling vintage items. My new shop will be under my name, Kathryn Buncik, which will give me a lot better identity as an artist.

The next big thing is what you see a sample of above. I have a small collection that is almost ready to be put up for sale! These photos are just small bits of the full pieces. But these will be the first items in my new shop. So be on the lookout and stay posted! You won't want to miss them.

The last big thing I'll share for now is my personal project. At the end of the month I will be participating in the Greeley Arts Picnic, where I will show a collection I've been working on with the theme of "Creating New Worlds". It's going to be crazy. Hopefully crazy awesome.

Potomac: One

This is a photo collage I put together for a project called "Potomac: Capturing American Spirituality". It is a music-photo response project put together by Tim Coons, musician of Enter the Worship Circle and pastor at Atlas church. Each week Tim releases a new song on the project site and various photographers will post photos that were inspired by the song. Read more on the project here.

My photo was inspired specifically by the lyrics "watch out for me, my mind is spinning". I liked those words because that's how I feel a lot of the time. Like my mind is spinning with thoughts upon thoughts, which many times turn into worries. But God gives us peace and freedom. Think about how beautifully peace and freedom go together. Listening to this song, I felt a little more assuredly how my spinning mind can be at peace knowing that the God of the universe watches over me.

Keep coming back to the blog to hear about and see more of the projects (and good times) that are happening here in Greeley, CO.

Watermelon and Bunnyfer

Yesterday we had a barbecue/ pre-fourth get-together with friends TJ and Joni. Every bit of food that has entered my mouth since I've gotten here has been one of the best things I've ever tasted. Here are a few shots of Harriet and Lucy eating watermelon. I already love these little ones like family.

Lucy & Bunnyfer

Last night Lucy gave me a kiss, a hug, and a high five before she went to bed. Then she looked at me and said "Kafrin, you are so so good." She's the best.

New Friends

Here's the first official update from Greeley, Colorado! I got to Tim and Betony Coons' house last Thursday afternoon. They are one of the neatest families I've ever met. Lucy and Harriet are their precious little girls. Lucy is the one in the pictures below. She's taken to calling me either "new friend" or "Kafrin". I live in the basement. Which is really a super cool room and a perfect space for me to relax and work on projects.

The projects I'll be working on will be very collage and photo-focused. Some will be personal projects and some will be collaborative. And other than these, a lot of what I'll be doing is meeting and talking with other artists around Greeley. Tomorrow I'll get to meet the members of Atlas church, which I know will be so good.

There's so much more I could talk of but I'll stop there for now. Everyone's prayers and support have been so important and appreciated. I truly wouldn't be here without them. I ask that fellow brothers and sisters in Christ would pray for the Lord to give me direction as an artist and that I would continue to seek Him. This opportunity is such a grand one and I will fill you in on more soon!

While At Home

Yesterday marked the 2 week mark before I start the long drive north to Colorado.

It's been a very good time home. Reading all the Roald Dahl and Shel Silverstein books I can get my hands on. Watching the little ones graduate from Kindergarten and pre-K. Gathering goodies to sell in a yard sale this weekend. Celebrating a birthday in honky tonk fashion. Sleeping in (lots of sleeping in). Leatherwork with an older sister. Playing superheroes and watching a ninja turtle movie with her boys. Good, real talks with close friends. A little bit of thrifting. A bit of redecorating.

And all the while the anticipation of this trip out to Greeley is continuing to build! A grand adventure is approaching.

Light Has Come

The wood of the floor is rough and unsanded. 

It's dark out so I can't see the floor too well.

But I can feel it by the splinters in my feet.

There is no moon because it is not yet night.

And I cannot see the sun.

For the thick clouds cover every light source available.

Every now and again the wood floors are visible when lightning strikes

And the water that makes them slick

Reflects the light up and down the deck.

But I still don't see the floors because I'm sprinting across the deck

Hauling and tying, loosing and screaming

But I can still feel the splinters in my feet.

>>

He was sleeping.

The storm did not disturb him. 

Thunder snarled to send chills through our bones

And he did not turn over in his sleep.

We woke him with the presumption that he did not know of the storm.

Yet the clouds were under his command.

Hush.

Be still.

The wind was quiet.

The water was calm.

And the wood reflected light from the moon.

The storm was gone and was not coming back.

For the one by which it was tamed knew it was nothing to fear.

And the one who did not fear it,

Asked me why I did.

But I was still amazed that I no longer felt the splinters in my feet.

This piece was created for a collaborative arts narrative called Lights In the Dark, which took place at City Fellowship in March. This was the poem I read during the show. When I returned home from school I decided that I wanted to give it to my dad. The theme of the piece is that the light has come and darkness cannot overcome it. My father is the person I think of most when I think of someone who, even when facing darkness, always has faith that the light will overcome it. He teaches me to keep faith, even in tough and confusing times. He so readily and willingly trusts in the Lord's goodness and love in ways I have a hard time fully understanding. I am so thankful for a father that sets such an example as this. I can't think of anyone I would rather dedicate this to than him.

Folk Festival

The 60th Annual Florida Folk Festival: on film.

Summer in the North

Hello family and friends!

I have an exciting opportunity this summer that I want to share with all of you. 

For the entire month of July I will be in Greeley, Colorado working with a church called Atlas Theater, helping with their art ministry program! This is super exciting for so many reasons. Tim and Betony Coons, along with their two little girls, Lucy and Harriet, are generously welcoming me into their home while I'm there. Tim is the worship pastor at Atlas and is one of the musicians that is a part of Enter the Worship Circle. Betony is a mom, an artist, and an art teacher and from what I can tell, she is incredible at all three. I know that the Lord has a lot to teach me through this family and I truly cannot wait to meet them. I'll also get to learn about how this community of believers is using art to bring people together and show God's beautiful love. I couldn't have dreamed of a better summer. 

One big thing I need a little help with is gas money. Yes, that's right. 

Driving from Florida to Colorado in three days!

So I'm asking for donations to help me get out there. I know this is sort of different than your typical fundraising for a mission trip or the like. But all of you have been so encouraging with my blog and art work I've been creating the past few years and I want you all to be a part of this as well. For certain donation amounts, I want to give back to you with an original piece created with you in mind. If you would like to take part, click on the image  below. Then send me an email at bunciknumber7@gmail.com specifying which gift you would like. (Look below image for different gift options)

Donations of $25:

-a handmade 5x7 collage, watercolor painting, or printed photo of your liking (any photo I've taken)

Donations of $50:

-a handmade 8x10 collage, watercolor painting, or printed photo of your liking (any photo I've taken)

Donations of $100 or more:

-a handmade multimedia collage on a 16 x 20 canvas OR an original multimedia photo transfer on wood panel


Thank you all for your support! Prayers for safe travels and growth in the Lord during this time are more appreciated than anything. I will post more about this throughout the summer on my blog but please feel free to email me more about it. I love talking about the adventures the Lord has placed before me and all of your encouragement is such a sweet gift. I love you all.

Roasted

Rob Alvey is a champ. He's one of my good friends here at school and he put together a stellar senior show last night. For his show he completely rebranded our campus coffee shop with bow tie/ coffee mug logo, coffee bag designs, website design, pre-concert listening station, and much more. He put a ton of work into all of this and it definitely paid off. There are a lot of people who will miss this guy when he graduates. But I know the Lord has great plans for him, for he's blessed him with some truly amazing talent. I'm super stoked to see what Rob's going to be doing in the next several years and I'm incredibly thankful to know him.