Welcome, Wanderer! As these printmaking, painting and photography projects are constantly evolving, visit often. Explore. Relax. Take a nap. I’ll try not to wake you up. For more information or to comment please email me at kat@katpowers.com. All images and text © Kat Powers 2009-2012.Tumblr (3.0; @katpowers)http://katpowers.com/<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m4m19pFXe81qzu5azo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>On a beautifully overcast and misty Saturday a few weeks ago ago, I was very happy to work with the Friends of the Chicago River for the first time. We pulled up invasive species that had grown up onto the path that runs alongside the river just north of Irving Park, and carefully removed native plants to save for transplanting. Alongside many other volunteers,  I was in good hands working under the guidance of ecologist Pete Leki, who could instantly identify every plant. I just discovered his hand-written vision of restoring nature in our city; a happy life how-to illustrated by Bobby Sutton. This tale can be found by clicking on the image above.</p>http://katpowers.com/post/23774844411http://katpowers.com/post/23774844411Fri, 25 May 2012 22:20:00 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3ts3sAjhn1qzu5azo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Every Thursday I look forward to seeing the progressions in the paintings of my fellow classmates in Bob Horn’s class at Lill Street. Paul Wanderski’s large and quite intricate bog-scape always amazes me (and I think everyone else, too).. taken from his photographs of Volo Bog, in Ingleside, Illinois. Paint on, Paul!</p>http://katpowers.com/post/22797455155http://katpowers.com/post/22797455155Thu, 10 May 2012 16:09:28 -0500<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3igfnt9bg1qzu5azo1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3igfnt9bg1qzu5azo2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m3igfnt9bg1qzu5azo3_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>Funerial flower II: Pincushion Protea. We miss you, Michael.</p>http://katpowers.com/post/22391632661http://katpowers.com/post/22391632661Fri, 04 May 2012 13:23:00 -0500<a href="http://www.danmartinextreme.com/home.php">Global Triathalon</a>: <p>Finding this man’s upcoming endeavor extremely interesting and incredibly terrifying. Go Dan! Thanks, Ben and Kate.</p>http://katpowers.com/post/22241391648http://katpowers.com/post/22241391648Tue, 01 May 2012 23:30:00 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m33pz3U7Cv1qzu5azo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>My classmates have made me promise to stop working on this piece, possibly because they can see that if I attempt to push paint around on it anymore I will truly be driven over the edge, and never return. So, aside from fiddling with the bottom edge (it keeps chipping, showing light blue from previous incarnations of the sea beneath), I will try to keep my word, glaze it and hand it over to the hopefully happy new owners.</p>http://katpowers.com/post/21860967178http://katpowers.com/post/21860967178Thu, 26 Apr 2012 14:25:50 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2zzw9GmTX1qzu5azo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Here is a casting of my dad’s left hand, this time using clear Alumilite. I was supposed to use a vacuum or pressurizer to achieve a clear, bubble-free casting, but since I don’t have access to any industrial casting equipment, and I think some of the beauty of a thing lies in its imperfection, I just went ahead without.</p>http://katpowers.com/post/21726805489http://katpowers.com/post/21726805489Tue, 24 Apr 2012 14:09:00 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2y3atGYEc1qzu5azo1_r2_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>I’ve just started a new series of watercolors of non-native, invasive species. Shown here in an early wash phase is the garlic mustard plant, Alliaria petiolata. Heeyoung kindly brought an entire baby plant including the roots into class for me, along with a clipping from which I’ve based this drawing. I’m now seeing garlic mustard everywhere I go, lining alleys and bike paths, and would be tempted to pull it out if it weren’t for the fact it really is growing too rampant… and that it may end world hunger: someone said it’s quite good sauteed!</p>http://katpowers.com/post/21656666929http://katpowers.com/post/21656666929Mon, 23 Apr 2012 13:28:00 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2rgyhFTsL1qzu5azo1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2rgyhFTsL1qzu5azo2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2rgyhFTsL1qzu5azo3_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2rgyhFTsL1qzu5azo4_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2rgyhFTsL1qzu5azo5_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>Yesterday I received my order from Smooth-On, Inc. and today I cast the mold of my da’s hands that we made when he was visiting two weeks ago. Unfortunately the trial-size containers of Smooth-Cast 300 were not quite enough to fill both hands, so I will need to reorder the gallon size. I would also like to recast the mold of his hands and forearms both to act more as the book-ends they were intended to be, and because one of the hands did not cast as smoothly as the other, possibly due to the increased amount of release cream rubbed on prior to the Body Double Skin Safe Lifecasting Silicone Rubber application phase. Thanks, Dad! Thanks, Smooth-On!</p>http://katpowers.com/post/21422957286http://katpowers.com/post/21422957286Thu, 19 Apr 2012 23:39:00 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2n4aguORR1qzu5azo2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m2n4aguORR1qzu5azo10_r2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>For those of us who can’t help saying things better left repressed, here’s a marvelous addition to the wardrobe: The Ultimate Freudian Slip!</p> <p>“Illusions commend themselves to us because they save us pain and allow us to enjoy pleasure instead. We must therefore accept it without complaint when they sometimes collide with a bit of reality against which they are dashed to pieces.” -S. Freud</p>http://katpowers.com/post/21281298052http://katpowers.com/post/21281298052Tue, 17 Apr 2012 15:15:00 -0500<iframe width="400" height="225" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nzxYUsnZV6M?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p>My new favorite videos are by Anders Nilsson for Miike Snow. Fantastically brilliant, disturbing works of genius. See the sequel here: <a href="http://nixonnoxin.com/wordpress/?portfolio=miike-snow-2" target="_blank">http://nixonnoxin.com/wordpress/?portfolio=miike-snow-2</a> and enjoy!</p>http://katpowers.com/post/21195081343http://katpowers.com/post/21195081343Sun, 15 Apr 2012 22:56:00 -0500<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1eiqkcxsZ1qzu5azo1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1eiqkcxsZ1qzu5azo2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1eiqkcxsZ1qzu5azo3_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1eiqkcxsZ1qzu5azo4_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>This week, Luis and I visited our friend Andrea Myers in Columbus, Ohio. In Andrea’s new sunlit studio workspace, housed In a reclaimed factory now home to dozens of visual artists, we found evidence of incredible productivity. The work that I found most arresting is the last image posted here: inspired by an image of a fault-line dividing a two-lane road, a a felt and fabric chasm is breaking apart the studio wall. Beautiful work by a beautiful woman!</p>http://katpowers.com/post/19844646617http://katpowers.com/post/19844646617Sat, 24 Mar 2012 13:15:00 -0500<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1809wZOZq1qzu5azo1_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1809wZOZq1qzu5azo2_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m1809wZOZq1qzu5azo3_500.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>Watercolor class is out of session but I was carried away by these willow catkins right outside the kitchen window, and thought I’d better try to paint them. I’m finding it difficult to locate the exact species of willow, as there are so many variations and cross-breeds. Thanks to UT’s Ladybird Johnson Wildflower website it appears to be Salix discolor (pussy willow), which is native to the midwest. Happy spring!</p>http://katpowers.com/post/19669978024http://katpowers.com/post/19669978024Wed, 21 Mar 2012 00:51:00 -0500<iframe width="400" height="225" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/nYdPtcx-4mo?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p>Lisa Hannigan’s happiness is contagious.. as is her desire to be fearlessly splattered with paint. Directed by Myles O’Reilly.</p>http://katpowers.com/post/19378895617http://katpowers.com/post/19378895617Thu, 15 Mar 2012 21:33:45 -0500<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m0yhdpimri1qzu5azo1_400.jpg"/><br/> <br/><img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m0yhdpimri1qzu5azo2_400.jpg"/><br/> <br/><p>Today was the last class of the ten-week session, and I’m still struggling to capture the smile and energy of this little boy. He’s getting younger, slowly, but there is still something of an alien-like old man about him. Bah humbug!</p>http://katpowers.com/post/19378401522http://katpowers.com/post/19378401522Thu, 15 Mar 2012 21:25:00 -0500<iframe width="400" height="300" src="http://www.youtube.com/embed/9QdgUJss9BU?wmode=transparent&autohide=1&egm=0&hd=1&iv_load_policy=3&modestbranding=1&rel=0&showinfo=0&showsearch=0" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe><br/><br/><p>Just discovered Olivier Messiaen, and for this I am very glad. Here with pianist Yvonne Loriod.</p>http://katpowers.com/post/19365719875http://katpowers.com/post/19365719875Thu, 15 Mar 2012 17:56:22 -0500<img src="http://24.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m0ntx5XvAj1qzu5azo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>A few days ago, my grandmother’s friend Zorka and I arranged to take a walk through the Morton Arboretum. This morning Zorka picked me up promptly, and instantly expressed that lately she’s been thinking a lot about my grandmother. A lot. She asked how long she’s been gone. About two years, I replied, and then I realized that today it has been exactly two years ago to the day (not counting leap-day) since she passed. I am so glad I could spend this sunny, brisk day with a fellow Marion admirer, in remembrance. Cheers to a magnificent woman!</p>http://katpowers.com/post/19049135874http://katpowers.com/post/19049135874Sat, 10 Mar 2012 02:22:00 -0600<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m0lnh2Oo7l1qzu5azo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Shameless self-promotion in the works. Happy night.</p>http://katpowers.com/post/18987264561http://katpowers.com/post/18987264561Thu, 08 Mar 2012 22:07:50 -0600<iframe src="http://player.vimeo.com/video/18645139?title=0&byline=0&portrait=0&color=ffffff" width="400" height="225" frameborder="0"></iframe><br/><br/><p>Nice work by Sophie Gateau: Wintertime’s Doll, by Patrick Kelleher & His Cold Dead Hands.</p>http://katpowers.com/post/18652982825http://katpowers.com/post/18652982825Sat, 03 Mar 2012 01:33:18 -0600<a href="http://www.examiner.com/literary-scene-in-chicago/undermining-higher-education-a-follow-up?CID=examiner_alerts_article">"Prioritization"</a>: <p>I attended Columbia College Chicago’s Fiction Department from 2001-2003. It was impossible not to become completely and heartily immersed in the unique methodology of writing taught here: image-driven, oral storytelling-based scene development, complete with word relays, scene recall, lucid dreaming.. all made possible by truly innovative and inspired faculty members.</p> <p>As an undergrad, I didn’t have the privilege of studying with department chair Randall Albers, but I was fortunate to consult with him on an internship and my final studio photography project. I found Randy to be the kind of leader one hopes a great department would have. If the proposed consolidation of writing departments at Columbia College happens, a very rare system of literary synergy will be lost. And I will say, I was happy to have been a part of it.</p> <p>Read more in Rob Duffer’s Examiner article by clicking on title above.</p>http://katpowers.com/post/18610442298http://katpowers.com/post/18610442298Fri, 02 Mar 2012 11:03:00 -0600<img src="http://25.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m06z13AhOW1qzu5azo1_500.jpg"/><br/><br/><p>Taken today at what is one of the city of Chicago’s best offerings, thanks to Dame Myra Hess. I wouldn’t want to be anywhere else on a Wednesday at 12:15.</p>http://katpowers.com/post/18540852710http://katpowers.com/post/18540852710Wed, 29 Feb 2012 23:53:27 -0600