For non-artists (hell even for some other artists) it can be difficult to “see” what is in my head. That’s where proofs come in. They don’t tell the whole story (where’s the fun/surprise in that?) but they give my clients just enough information to feel comfortable and suggest changes if necessary. Aside from my sketchbook, proofs are best way to take a look inside my thought process. (Speaking of proofs- here is a sneak peek of one for a project I’m currently working on.)
Studio View- April 2022
Studio view this morning. Yes, I wrote my painting plan out on a ripped piece of a moving box; no, I still haven’t installed the new lights yet (That’s also the toe kick to my cabinets just casually resting in front of them waiting to be installed 🤷♀️😆)
But when the mood to paint strikes, you paint; construction be damned.
Painting the night sky
The feeling you get when it feels like you’ve painted the night sky. ⭐️ 🌙 (Also can be described as “whoa.”)
A sneak peek at an exciting commission I’m working on right now.
Courtney Khail Studio View
Studio view- MELT
Creating these color combinations (first in my mind, then in water to be transformed into ice), arranging the compositions, guiding the pools of color while still allowing for some randomness and surprise interactions between the paper, the water, the inks, and the paints- it’s all so wild and amazing! I absolutely love the push and pull between what I can control and what I can’t.
Still in the painting stages of this collection, but I’m getting really excited for the inking and line work to come.
Blue Raspberry ICEEs
Courtney Khail studio view
Do you remember blue raspberry ICEE’s? The summer around 5th grade, my friend Sarah and I used to walk to Circle K to get two and then lazily sip them while walking around Hickman Park. I have to guess we were around 11 years old- the time when you’re starting to feel a little too old “to play” but not old enough for your imagination to have fully shut off in preparation of “hanging out.” Of course this was also before we all had cell phones, 24 hour news, and the knowledge of how bad high fructose corn syrup and blue dye was for you.
My newest series talks about this and more. Look for it this summer.
Pulling back the curtain
Out Of The Office
Took a much needed break from the studio this past week to visit the beach and my in laws. Here are a few photos (including a polar bear family made entirely out of legos.)
