Amy Rice Art

(Your Letters Have Been) The Wind in My Sails

2012-01-03T20:55:00.000-08:00

My first completed painting of 2012!

Spray Paint, Acrylic, Ink, Antique Letters, Antique Maps
On Ampersand Claybord
30” x 40”
A reprise of a piece on paper of the same title

This piece is for the Get Lucky 2012 Annual Fundraising Gala for the Soo Visual Arts Center Saturday, January 28
http://www.soovac.org/

Open Studio Event with Special Fuzzy Guest

2011-11-09T08:51:00.000-08:00

In conjunction with California Building Second Saturday open studio event (so lots of other art studios to check out too)

I have lots and lots of art; gift giving art, for your own home art, little art, big art. I have prints and originals and letterpress stuff too.

There will be a very special fuzzy guest for some of the day.
Saturday, November 12 from 11am -6pm
AND Saturday, December 10th same hours
California Building Studio 602
2205 California Street NE Minneapolis

"Rooted" and "Growing a Sense of Direction"

2011-10-04T21:11:00.000-07:00

I am both rooted and growing a sense of direction.

Simultaneously.

Not so coincidentally I have two solo art shows opening this Friday, October 7th entitled “Rooted” at Art Star Gallery in Philadelphia and another, “Growing a Sense of Direction” at View Art Gallery in Victoria, BC.

Delightful, a Pop-Up Art Gallery, Works by Jennifer Davis and Amy Rice

2011-08-13T17:43:00.000-07:00

Delightful, a Pop-Up Art Gallery, Works by Jennifer Davis and Amy Rice

In The Historic Minnesota Building
46 4th Street East in Downtown St. Paul
Across the street and through one skyway from The Crown Plaza Hotel on the street level

4 Days Only:
Wednesday, September 14, 4-9pm
Thursday, September 15, 8am-6pm
Friday, September 16, 8am- 9pm, Reception 6-9pm
Saturday, September 17, 8am-6pm

http://wwwdelightful.blogspot.com/

Rooted

2011-08-01T09:26:00.000-07:00

Rooted / New Works by Amy Rice
Art Star Gallery
Philadelphia, PA
October 2001

image:
Spray Paint, Gouache, Cotton Floss, Flour Sack Fabric, Last Year’s Morning Glory String on Feed Sack from my Family Farm
59” x 54”
2011

Growing a Sense of Direction

2011-08-01T09:19:00.000-07:00

Growing a Sense of Direction/ New Works by Amy Rice
View Art GalleryVictoria, BC October, 2011

In memory of my beloved muse

2011-07-21T11:56:00.000-07:00

Butterflies for Ella

Gocco prints on antique handwritten letters of eloquent condolence, antique maps, paint brush bristles.
12” x 10”
2011

The frame is a vintage tramp art frame. The silver paint and shadowbox style suggest that this frame was made to serve a Memento Mori, a framed shrine to a loved one who has passed.

For: “Rooted: New Works by Amy Rice”, October 2011, Art Star Gallery, Philadelphia, PA

With a heavy heart...

2011-07-21T11:49:00.000-07:00

For anyone who has followed my blog and my art career through the years, you know that my sweet dog Ella served as an unending source of joy and inspiration. Last month she passed away quietly and without pain in my arms in one of her favorite places in the world. We were together just short of 16 years. She saw both coasts of the United States, swam in both oceans. She canoed down the Brule River and sailed in Lake Superior. She had lots of friends. She had been the subject of much art. She was on CNN. She was, more than anything, loved immensely.

Last year I did a series entitled “It’s a Closed System”, and it focused primarily on dealing with what I knew was inevitable. You can view it here

I think Ella will probably continue to pop up in my art for the rest of my life; she will always be my favorite muse.

Image: Ella's 14th Birthday

2011-06-02T16:36:00.000-07:00

Mitrebox Window Show

2011-06-02T16:34:00.000-07:00

The Birchwood Cafe

2011-04-15T09:03:00.001-07:00

I have work up at the lovely Birchwood Cafe in South Minneapolis until the end of May.
www.birchwoodcafe.com/

BIG NEWS!

2011-02-09T10:31:00.001-08:00

I have big news. In March 2011, I will have worked at Spectrum Community Mental Health as their Arts Director for 10 years. It has been a fantastic decade of community building, art making and stigma busting. I started out full time and as my own art career has expanded, I have whittled myself down to working at Spectrum a few days a week. Spectrum and their parent organization, RESOURCE, have been amazing to work for. They have supported my ideas and encouraged my creativity both on the job and off.

As of April 2011, I will be a full-time artist. It is/ has been/ will be difficult to leave a job that I love with people who have become hugely important in my life. Being the Spectrum ArtWorks Director has been a big part of who I am and how I define myself. During the past year it became apparent that I had two careers and I needed to pick one. I pick me.

Moving my studio to the California Building in NE Minneapolis was a first step—a real professional space to begin my own business---and it is so pretty, I am so thankful to have such a lovely space to go to work!

Next up, a new website, an online shop and an assistant!

For today, I am so excited to share my new site and my new etsy shop!

www.amyrice.com

and

http://www.etsy.com/shop/amyriceart

Thank you to Nichole Goodwell for designing my website!

Greeting Cards!

2011-01-17T20:25:00.000-08:00

I am so excited to share this news: I have a new line of greeting cards published by a great little card company, Artists to Watch. They are printed here in Minnesota, on recycled paper with soy ink.

I could not wait.

2011-01-10T17:34:00.000-08:00

Here is my winter gift to you, to everyone, free down-loadable Valentine’s Day Cards.

click here

Open Studio Event

2011-01-03T09:21:00.000-08:00

Amy Rice Art 2nd Saturday Open Studio Event
California Building 2205 California Street NE studio 602
Saturday, January 8th 11-6

Minnesota Original

2010-12-27T07:55:00.000-08:00

I am really excited to be featured in the latest episode of Minnesota Original: a new weekly arts series produced by Twin Cities Public Television.

http://www.mnoriginal.org/art/?p=2885

geraniums

2010-12-21T08:58:00.000-08:00

My mom planted a lot of geraniums. I was never a fan. I didn’t like how they smelled and you couldn’t really use them in a cut flower arrangement. The California building, home of my art studio, has stairwells and hallways full of geraniums and now I associate the smell of them with getting to spend the day making art. Plus they are such a pretty contrast to the days of harsh white snow and perpetually grey skies. My mind has been changed on geraniums.

My new (well, it still feels new to me even at 7 months in) studio is so conducive to painting big and so in honor of my new studio home I am painting giant geraniums.

When completed this painting will be part of Get Lucky at The Soo Visual Arts Center in late January. See their site for more information.

Amy Rice Art TRY AGAIN Annual Holiday Open Studio Event

2010-12-06T18:36:00.000-08:00

NEW DATE AND TIMES:
Saturday, December 18 · 11:00am - 4:00pmCalifornia Building 2205 California Street NE Studio 602
Minneapolis, MN
A pretty new studio with lots of new art- much of it small and priced for gift giving, a “new” antique letterpress (demonstrations upon request!), a fantastic view of NE and the Mississippi river plus treats…
Free and open to the public.

No Coast Craft-o-Rama

2010-11-24T18:21:00.000-08:00

Look what my sweetheart made me for No Coast Craft-o-Rama: My very own forest.
No Coast Craft-o-RamaDecember 3rd and 4th at The Midtown Global Market, Minneapolis

‎"SNOW, EH?"

2010-10-31T18:21:00.000-07:00

‎"SNOW, EH?"

November 5th to December 31st

View Art Gallery

Victoria, BC

Amy Rice at View Art Gallery

2010-10-05T19:16:00.000-07:00

2010-10-05T19:04:00.000-07:00

The cupcakes served at the opening of “It’s a Closed System”, my first Canadian solo show at View Art Gallery in Victoria, BC.

I uploaded a bunch of photos of my trip to Vancouver Island for the show here

RE:FORM SCHOOL

2010-09-12T10:51:00.000-07:00

Multidisciplinary Garden
Spray Paint, Acrylic, Antique Maps, Antique Sheet Music, Antique Homework
30" x 36"
2010

RE:FORM SCHOOL is a high profile group art exhibition, event series and public awareness campaign taking place in New York City, that brings together the creative community in a call for the reform of the American Public Education System.

reformschool.letsredu.com/

RE:FORM SCHOOL will be open to the public, Saturday, October 9th, 2010 through Monday, October 11th, 2010 between the hours of 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM and is located at 233 Mott Street, New York City, NY 10012.

sometimes it's a costume, sometimes it's a disguise

2010-09-06T14:23:00.000-07:00

"sometimes it's a costume, sometimes it's a disguise "

original work by Amy Rice reproduced on a 2 ply maple veneer postcard.

made for and sold exclusively at art star gallery in Philadelphia

only $6

http://www.artstarphilly.com/shop/stationery/rice01.html

2010-09-01T18:49:00.000-07:00

I made an "Amy Rice Art" facebook page. Please come join me there.

Container Gardener

Spray Paint/ Acrylic/ Hand Painted Gocco Prints on Antique Journal Pages/ Gouache/ Ink/ Paper Lace

16" x 20"

View Art Gallery

Victoria, BC

October 2010

It’s A Closed System: New Work by Amy Rice

2010-09-01T09:59:00.000-07:00

It’s A Closed System: New Work by Amy Rice
October 1st-30th View Art Gallery, Victoria, BC
http://viewartgallery.ca/

Swan Song Gallery presents The First Day/ Work by Amy Rice

2010-07-20T10:10:00.000-07:00

Opening Reception:
Sunday, July 25 Noon – 3:00

Maiden Rock, WI- Swan Song Contemporary Arts presents the fourth special exhibition of its 2010 season in featuring recent mixed-media works by Amy Rice. Opening Sunday, July 25, with a reception for the artist from 12:00-3:00, the exhibition runs through Sunday, August 29. The exhibition will be on view during Swan Song’s regular hours from 10:00-5:00, Friday, Saturday and Sunday and by appointment.

Tangletown Gardens’ Garden and Art Tour

2010-07-12T17:17:00.000-07:00

Featuring contemporary art by dozens of the regions finest artists installed for the day in private Twin Cities Gardens

Calling all art and garden lovers! Don’t miss Tangletown Gardens’ 2010 Garden and Art Tour, Saturday July 24th, 9:00-4:00, and evening reception. This year’s tour features nature and garden-themed works by dozens of the region’s finest contemporary artists, installed in some of best private gardens in the Twin Cities. Expect the un-expected, enjoy complementary refreshments and wine tasting throughout the day, on this self guided tour of natural and creative beauty. All proceeds support public garden and art projects throughout the Twin Cities.

For more information, please visit http://www.tangletowngardens.com/

It's a Closed System/ I Would Know You Anywhere

2010-06-29T20:09:00.000-07:00

click on the photo to view it larger

Spray Paint, Acrylic, Gocco Prints on Antique Journal Pages, Antique Envelope, Antique Maps, Paper, Paper Lace, Ink, Gouache
20" x 16"
2010

I spent a week in a rented cabin on a lake in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan with my sweetheart Matt and my precious old lady dog Ella. The cabin is very near where I found Ella 15 years ago this summer and so the trip was a special one for us. Much of the art I brought with me to work on is about this beautiful and bittersweet stage we are passing through together. It is about aging and loss and finding each other over and over.

I put a bazillion more photos of our vacation here.

These pieces will be included in my solo show at View Art Gallery in Victoria, BC October 2010

free puppies

2010-06-13T12:41:00.000-07:00

The ad said “free puppies” and listed a rural address on the Bad River Indian Reservation in the most Northern East corner of Wisconsin. That is where I found Ella—it was 15 years ago this summer and she and I have been a pack ever since.

Ella has seen both coasts of the United States, swam in both oceans. She has canoed down the Brule River and sailed in Lake Superior. She has lots of friends. She has been the subject of much art. She was on CNN.

Next weekend we are headed back to birthplace-of-Ella-land for a week of all her favorite things. She is such an old lady now, but still loves to swim and I found a cabin with a deck right on the lake. It will probably be our last big adventure together. This time around, anyway.

I am taking a stack of these new Gocco prints to paint in while I watch Ella swim. I think I will call it, “The First Day” subtitled, “If, Next Time, You are the Person and I am the Dog, Remember I Took You on Bicycle Rides Even in the Rain”.

Letters and Journals

2010-06-12T09:54:00.000-07:00

Letters & Journals is a new web magazine staffed by passionate letter writers, journal keepers and other pen, ink and paper enthusiasts. They are based in St. Paul, MN and have created a website as a prelude to the print edition of the magazine which is scheduled for a 2011 publication.

They have published an article about my art on found paper, Amy Rice: Giving Age-worn Letters and Ledgers New Life Through Art, written by Amanda N. Wegner.

"Fresh": SEASONS on St. Croix Gallery

2010-05-28T06:50:00.000-07:00

Opening Friday June 4
Seasons on St. Croix Gallery
401 Second Street . Hudson WI

Barefoot/ Spring

2010-05-19T10:34:00.000-07:00

Work for: “Fresh”
Seasons on St. Croix Gallery
Hudson WI

June 2010

seasonsonstcroix.com/

ella and me in the studio

2010-05-16T18:26:00.001-07:00

ella and me in the studio, originally uploaded by Amy Rice.

I had a really fun art-a-whirl. Thanks to everyone who came out. It was great to see you.

2010-04-30T20:50:00.001-07:00

, originally uploaded by Amy Rice.

new studio progress/ art-a-whirl 2010

2010-04-25T17:09:00.001-07:00

progress , originally uploaded by Amy Rice.

My sweetie Matt and his awesome little Brother Andy built me a stage on Saturday—I want to add some old front porch steps and wood lattice. You can see it for yourself during Art-A-Whirl—I’m working hard so that I’ll be ready!

California Building Floor 6!

New Studio!

2010-04-25T07:49:00.001-07:00

New Studio!, originally uploaded by Amy Rice.

I have moved my studio to the California Building! I will be open in my new space in time for Art-A-Whirl. More details and pictures soon!

Art-a-Whirl dates and times:

Friday, May 14th - 5:00-10:00 p.m.
Saturday, May 15th - Noon-8:00 p.m.
Sunday, May 16th - Noon-5:00 p.m .

It is almost time...

2010-03-24T14:40:00.000-07:00

available at artstream gallery now

Frank Stone Gallery

2010-03-24T11:51:00.000-07:00

Frank Stone Gallery: Amy Rice, Allan Ingenito, Beth Baker
April 8 – 18
Opening Reception Friday, April 9, 5-9pm

1224 NE. 2nd St.
Minneapolis, MN
612-617-9965
http://www.frankstonegallery.com

“Seasonal Travel” at artstream gallery available online now

2010-03-24T11:45:00.000-07:00

Click here to see all and/ or purchase my work in the show.

PAVE 3rd Annual Mother's Day Card Fundraiser

2010-03-24T11:27:00.000-07:00

Honor someone special with a Mother’s Day card from PAVE.
By donating $15 or more to end domestic violence and/or sexual assault, you can request that PAVE send a card to an extraordinary person in your life with a short note about your donation. PAVE is a 501 (c)(3) non-profit agency, so all donations are tax deductible as allowed by law.
All cards will feature the art of Amy Rice. Amy is a Minnesota artist, who was born and raised in Dodge County.
Cards will be mailed the week of May 3rd. In order to ensure timely delivery, we require receipt of your request by April 30, 2010. All requests should include name and address of donor, a donation of $15 or more, name and address of recipient and a brief message to include. Please mail your requests to PAVE, PO Box 561, Beaver Dam, WI 53916.

Manifest Equality

2010-03-03T16:36:00.000-08:00

Amy Rice for Manifest Equality from PRQ on Vimeo.

Dear Elizabeth

2010-02-18T20:42:00.001-08:00

Spray Paint/Gouache/Ink on letter from 1938

Sale at Art Star Gallery

2010-02-18T08:45:00.000-08:00

Art Star Gallery is having a 20% off sale on art from past exhibitions. They have just a few larger pieces left from my last show there. Check it out.

Manifest Equality

2010-02-03T18:14:00.001-08:00

Throughout history artists have lent their creative expression to the ideas and issues that shape life in our communities, our country and our world. The MANIFESTEQUALITY Gallery gathers together a diverse array of hundreds of the nation’s most talented visual artists under one roof to celebrate that role and join with our gay (LGBT) friends, family members and co-workers to demand full and equal rights for all Americans.

Manifest Equality
March 3-7, 2010
Los Angeles

2010 calendar

2009-11-17T18:06:00.000-08:00

2010 Amy Rice Art Calendar

Thirteen individual pages mean thirteen framable prints (12 months and the cover). The design format is very similar to last year’s (all new art though!) with many of the pages having delicate lines that indicate where one can cut out the print in order it for to fit in a standard frame.

The calendar is 10” x 18”, on heavy quality paper printed with super lightfast ink. It was printed here in Minneapolis by Smart Set Printers.

The calendar cost is the same as last year; $45 plus $10 shipping in the US (Please email me for shipping costs outside the US). I will accept payment with a credit card through PayPal; my PayPal “address” is amyr@amyrice.com I will also accept a check through the mail. Please email me at amyr@amyrice.com for me mailing address. I will reduce shipping costs on multiple orders.

the calendar will be available in Minneapolis exclusively at Mitrebox Framing Studio

located at 213 Washington Avenue North.

I will post more photos on my flickr in the following week or so.

You May Be Surprised at What you Grow to Love

2009-11-09T18:46:00.000-08:00

You May be Surprised at What You Grow to Love
New Work by Amy Rice
Bluebottle Art Gallery
415 East Pine Street, Seattle, WA 98122

Runs:
November 1st – 30th, 2009
Free and open to the public.

I have been daydreaming on the shapes of old picture frames, the silhouettes of tiger lilies, bees and chickens, vintage camper trailers, swan paddleboats and true love.

I know, for the first time in my life what I want my future to look like and the work it will take to get there. I've spent a lot of years painting from my past; in this body of work I have made a shift, I am painting my present and my dreams for the future. –Amy Rice

3 Minute Egg Interview

2009-10-29T15:25:00.000-07:00

"Don't Worry, I Have a Map" Online Now

2009-10-15T16:12:00.000-07:00

The remaining works in the exhibition, "Don't Worry, I Have a Map" at the Soo Visual Arts Center are online now here:

http://sootoo.myshopify.com/collections/amy-rice

You May Be Surprised at What You Grow to Love

2009-10-13T16:30:00.000-07:00

You May be Surprised at What You Grow to Love

Works by Amy Rice
Runs: November 3 - 29, 2009

Free and open to the public.

Bluebottle Art Gallery

415 East Pine Street

Seattle, WA

www.bluebottleart.com

Thank You Soo Visual Arts Center

2009-10-13T16:25:00.000-07:00

My solo show, “Don’t Worry, I Have a Map” opened this past week-end in the Soo Too Gallery of The Soo Visual Arts Center in Minneapolis. Here is a photo of me and my art from 2004 when I was a featured artist in the Soo VAC retail space which is now the Soo Too gallery where my show is up now, in 2009. It has been an exceptionally wonderful experience as an artist to have been able to maintain a working relationship with a gallery over these past five years, five years that have seen my work grow and mature. I am so thankful to Suzy Greenburg and all the staff and board members (now and in the past) for their ongoing encouragement and support. Thank You Soo Visual Arts Center!

http://www.soovac.org/

October Third, Nineteen Hundred and Sixteen

2009-09-27T15:06:00.000-07:00

WEIRD!

I was framing this piece for a show that opens OCTOBER THIRD! (but of 2009, not 1916) when I noticed the postmark date. I really hadn't noticed earlier. Plus, it was postmarked in Minnesota!

Contagious

New Works by Tara Costello, Jennifer Davis & Amy Rice
http://www.ContagiousArt.blogspot.com

Saturday, October 3rd, 2009

(one day only!)

preview 3 - 7pm

reception 7 - 10pm
1121 Jackson Street NE

Studio #145

Minneapolis, MN

(near corner of Central and Broadway Aves NE)

She Thought She Was A Cat

2009-09-16T09:29:00.000-07:00

My Grandpa Ed loved chickens. I have scrap books he made as a child filled with cut-out pictures of chickens (and peaches; chickens and peaches and a really elaborate cake thrown in here and there, but mostly chickens). This photo is from the late 1980’s (nice glasses, right?) and is of Grandpa, me and Chicken Alfredo, just another in a long line of chickens that thought they were a cat. Plus a detail of a new painting, "She Thought She Was A Cat", for my upcoming solo show:

Don’t Worry I Have a Map

New Works by Amy Rice

October 9 - November 29, 2009

Opening Reception Friday, October 9th, 6-9PM

Soo Visual Arts Center

2640 Lyndale Ave. S Minneapolis, MN 55408
http://www.soovac.org/

"Say Good Morning Tiger Lily" A Few Days, A Few Pieces Left...

2009-09-10T06:36:00.000-07:00

There are still a handful of small pieces left for sale including the two pictured. You can see the entire exhibition here:

http://www.artstarphilly.com/exhibitions/amyrice09/amyRice09.html

'“Say Good Morning Tiger Lily”

New work by Amy Rice

July 31st -September 13th, 2009

Art Star Gallery

Philadelphia, PA

Orange Inspiration

2009-09-02T08:27:00.000-07:00

I designed and then had multiples of three different shapes laser cut from oak to paint on for my upcoming solo exhibition at The Soo Visual Arts Center in Minneapolis. I love how they turned out but I am having such a difficult time photographing them. I like how this photograph looks but it’s not what the gallery needs from me in terms of documentation. I might need to invest in some lighting equipment.
My zinnia garden this year was lovely in the beginning but came down with blight early on. I still have lots of flowers but the leaves are unsightly. I will try again next year. I still love my zinnias, even if they are a little rag-tag.

trying to grow a sense of direction

2009-08-31T19:31:00.000-07:00

My Uncle Don recently brought me gifts of old barn boards and an antique book of maps. I wanted to make a piece using both together.

I have no inherent sense of direction. I have difficulty with left and right. I have been trying to pay better attention and learning to use maps.

This piece is for the upcoming show Contagious with fellow Minneapolis artists Jennifer Davis and Tara Costello.

contagious

2009-08-29T10:02:00.000-07:00

http://www.contagiousart.blogspot.com/

I Love Love, Especially in Autumn

2009-08-24T11:32:00.000-07:00

I made these wedding invites for some friends. It will be a fall wedding, outdoors and casual. I cried when I "carved" their initials into the "tree"; it was just too precious. I cut out all the elements by hand. The tree patterned paper I bought at a craft store; the leaves were paint sample chips. Smart Set printers in Minneapolis helped me get it all formatted out with scoring for the folds and perforation for the rsvp part. They are really fantastic printers and I would HIGHLY recommend them.

http://www.smartset.com/

Don't Worry, I Have a Map

2009-08-05T17:40:00.000-07:00

Don't Worry, I Have a Map

New Works by Amy Rice

Soo Visual Arts Center

October 2009

entire exhibition online now

2009-08-03T12:04:00.000-07:00

http://www.artstarphilly.com/exhibitions/amyrice09/amyRice09.html

Say Good Morning Tiger Lily

2009-07-02T15:46:00.000-07:00

Say Good Morning Tiger Lily

New work by Amy Rice

July 31st-September 13th, 2009

opening reception July 31st from 5-9 pm

Art Star Gallery

Philadelphia, PA

www.artstarphilly.com

Frosted Inspiration

2009-05-18T19:43:00.000-07:00

Saturday, June 06, 09 10 a.m. – 1 p.m.

Mitrebox Framing Studio
213 Washington Ave North
Minneapolis, MN 55413

Mitrebox is located in the Warehouse District North Loop-On Washington Ave N. between N. 2nd Ave and N. 3rd Ave.

Art by Amy Rice

more cupcake art here

Cupcakes by Miel y Leche aka Sheela Namakkal

Buy / Collect: Arts Patronage in Minnesota

2009-03-29T16:39:00.000-07:00

Buy/Collect: Arts Patronage in Minnesota
April 11 - 25, 2009

Curated by Yuri Arajs & Robyne Robinson

@ Bookman Stacks
345 Sixth Avenue North
Minneapolis, MN 55401

More info here

bird x bird

2009-02-15T15:19:00.000-08:00

BirdxBird Auction Event! Saturday, February 21, 2009 at the Northrup King Building in Minneapolis, MN
http://www.birdxbird.org/

art available blog updated for first time in a million years

2009-02-15T14:26:00.000-08:00

yep.
http://availableamyart.blogspot.com/

I still have about ten calendars left too.

amy rice 2009 calendar

2008-12-07T18:13:00.001-08:00

amy rice 2009 calendar, originally uploaded by Amy Rice.

http://availableamyart.blogspot.com/

The Infamous Fuzzy Ball Chair

2008-10-22T21:09:00.000-07:00

I bought a wingback chair with matching ottoman and a big bag of pink and red yarn at Salvation Army last spring for $14.00. I had a plan; I would cover them completely with fuzzy balls (also known as pom-poms) hand made entirely from salvaged thrift store yarn. I estimated it would take me a couple more skeins of yarn and a productive weekend.

200 skeins of yarn (some unfortunately bought new as the exhibition deadline loomed), a gaggle of supportive (if not bemused) friends and 3 cans of 3M Orange super adhesive spray later; the fuzzy ball chair is finished.

It turned out to be way more functional than I ever imagined it would be (those balls are seriously adhered) and to clean it one could just trim off a bit of the yarn or replace a ball here and there as needed.

If I were to do it again (no, no, I am not doing it again) I would make all the balls first and lay out a more cohesive pattern. I thought I had enough balls on four separate occasions and went to town adhering only to discover that I again, needed more yarn.

nest

2008-10-13T19:59:00.000-07:00

nestinfo.blogspot.com/

Artists Amy Rice and Terrence Payne, in collaboration with Sotheby's real estate group, announce the opening of their first joint exhibition entitled Nest. The artists will be translating the imagery and patterns from their established 2d works and rendering them into the physical world by applying them to textiles, furniture and home furnishings in order to outfit a living space provided by Sotheby’s Realty. The result will translate a conventional living environment into a colorful and fantastic installation for the viewer to experience and move through, essentially becoming a part of the work itself.

Artist’s Reception Friday October 17th 6-10 pm

Free and open to the public
8000 Westwood Hills Drive, St Louis Park, MN

This exhibition will also be open October 18th & 19th from noon until 5 pm

2008-09-09T19:35:00.000-07:00

Affirmations

2008-08-24T21:07:00.000-07:00

Drawings and paintings by Penelope Dullaghan, Flossy-P, Amy Rice and soft sculpture by Sian Keegan

September 5- October 31st, 2008
artstreamstudios.com

Manifest Hope

2008-08-24T21:04:00.000-07:00

The Manifest Hope Gallery will draw together works as varied as the voices of the artists who created them. Manifest hope will showcase some of the finest modern contemporary artists, acclaimed NY painters and sculptors, activated grass roots and street artists, and present the most widely recognized pieces seen throughout the 2008 presidential primary campaign, as well as newly commissioned works and previous works on loan from some of the United States top artists.

Participating Artists:

Aaron Martin // Adrian Sanchez // Alexis McKenzie // Amy Martin // Amy Rice // Andy Howell // Alex Pardee // Cathie Bleck // Casey Ryder // Chanel Kennebrew // Chris Pastras // Chris Yates // Cydney Payton // Dan Monick // Date Farmers // David Choe // David Lanham // Deroy Peraza // Diederick Kraaijeveld // Eddie // Elizabeth Rosen // Emek // Evan Hecox // Frank Chimero // Franke // Gary Baseman // HVW8 // Irene Hardwicke Olivieri // Jason Alberto // Justin Alberto Garcia // Jason Giglio // Jeff Zimmerman // Jesselisa Moretti // Jude Buffum // Julie Adler // Justin Bua // Kate Luscher //Kay Tuttle // Keith Negley // Kofie // Leontine Greenberg // Lisa Anne Auerbach // Lisa Congdon // Lukas Ketner // MAC //Max Ginsburg // Maya Hayuk // Mear One // Mel Kadel // Melanie Reim // Morning Breath // Munk One // Nick Dewar // Pete Yahnke // Philip John Lumbang // Ray Noland aka CRO // Rebecca Berdel // Retna // Rick Griffith // Ron English // Ron Keas // Sam Flores // Sarah Hoskins // Scot Lefavor // Shannon Bonatakis and Josh Holland // Shepard Fairey // Cypher13 // Todd Lockwood // Tom Slaughter // Mike Moore (Tres Birds) // Van Taylor Monroe // Zara Gonzalez // Zina Saunders // Zoltron // Aaron Axelrod // Thomas Brodhal // Ginger Che // Catia Chien // Christopher Cox // Grotesk // Damon Locks // Zach McDonald // Tres Birds // Adrian Tucker // Arellano Harvath // Antar Dayal // Vincent Comparetto

Manifest Hope Gallery
2990 Larimer Street
Denver, CO 80205

2008: Summer of Zinnias

2008-08-18T16:54:00.000-07:00

I have always been inspired by what is growing in my garden and this years it is so many zinnias.

Mary Engelbreit’s Home Companion Magazine!

2008-07-13T17:43:00.000-07:00

August/September Issue
online version here

work available

2008-05-19T15:08:00.000-07:00

I updated my "work available" blog today for the first time in nearly a year...check it out:
http://availableamyart.blogspot.com/

feel free to email me with any questions: amyr@amyrice.com

"Both Sweet and Illicit" Blue Bottle Gallery June 2008

2008-05-19T14:10:00.000-07:00

http://www.bluebottleart.com/
Email me for a preview list-amyr@amyrice.com

Feather Your Nest

2008-03-23T09:47:00.001-07:00

Feather Your Nest, originally uploaded by Amy Rice.

Paper Boat Gallery and Boutique

Abby Glassenburg

Artcrank '08

2008-03-17T09:39:00.000-07:00

Keys to Happiness
Hand Cut Stencil / Spray Paint
20" x 24"
2008
for: www.artcrankpostershow.com/
Saturday, April 5th 7pm
One On One Bikes
117 Washington Ave N
Minneapolis

Spectrum ArtWorks Documentary

2008-02-27T09:01:00.000-08:00

I just realized last night that part of the documentary film about the arts program I manage is on YouTube.

Gallery Show In Hollywood

2008-02-17T18:47:00.001-08:00

I'm particularly excited to being with showing with Chris Stain as I have followed and admired his work for many years, and count him as a major influence on my own work.

"OUTSIDE/INSIDE" (March 1st - March 15, 2008)
Stencil art from around the world featuring Adam5100, Adam Koukoudakis, Amy Rice, Brian Jones, C215, Chris Stain, Dotmasters, Goncalo Delaunay, HaHa, Hush, Jef Aerosol, Kaleb, Logan Hicks, M-City, Mantis, Martin Whatson, Pam Glew, Rene Gagnon and a few special guests tba!

Carmichael Gallery of Contemporary Art
1257 N. La Brea Avenue
West Hollywood, CA 90038
(SW corner of La Brea and Fountain)

wishing, hoping, waiting, longing...

2008-02-09T16:19:00.001-08:00

i'm a cowgirl now

2008-02-09T16:15:00.001-08:00

ella is not impressed
new boots:
http://www.justinboots.com/en/?SID

painting for spring

2008-02-05T22:24:00.000-08:00

I don't remember ever being quite so anxious for spring so early in the year (I live in Minnesota, remember, we could have snow on the ground well into April). I have three significant shows coming up in the spring and so I think that will be the theme...waiting for spring, or just waiting, waiting for something bright and pretty to pop out of all the frickn' snow.

April:
Paper Boat Gallery and Boutique
Milwaukee, WI
with Abby Glassenburg
April 4th-April 30th
Opening Reception Gallery Night April 18th

May:
Quirk Gallery
Richmond, Virginia

June:
Bluebottle Art Gallery
Seattle, Washington

sick of winter already

2008-01-21T17:25:00.000-08:00

'Ya know what I mean?

I posted some photos of my new apartment, my studio all neat looking, Ella with a new toy she hates, and a few pieces of new art actually on my Flickr.

Swooning

2008-01-02T13:38:00.000-08:00

So, ya' know how when you really, really love a band you just can't wait to hear their new album? Well, for me there are a handful of visual artists whose work I've followed for years and when they are about to open a significant exhibition of their new work, I get so excited I have to remind myself to breath. Jennifer Davis is one of those artists and Saturday night I will be swooning. Come swoon with me.
News From the Moon
New Paintings by Jennifer Davis and Amy Crickenberger Oeth
Rosalux Gallery, Minneapolis, MN
RECEPTION: Sat Jan 5th from 7-10pm
show runs Jan3rd-31st

In other Minneapolis art world news, two of my favorite Flickr friends are showing their work together with a reception in Uptown Friday night:
Black+White+Red
Featuring B&W photography by Ericka Bailie-Byrne & black,
white & red tapestries by S.E.D.
Opening Reception Friday, January 4, 7-10PM
Exhibit runs January 4 - February 1, 2008
The Beat
1414 W 28th St
Mpls, MN 55408

Go See Art!!!!

a tiny update

2007-12-28T11:37:00.000-08:00

I haven't posted in a while because I am in the process of moving. I am excited to post a bunch of new photos on my Flickr of my new place and new art I have managed to make in the evening after unpacking so check back soon. In the meantime here is a link to a project/article at mnartists.org I am involved with.
Plus, I am very excited to say that the Spectrum ArtWorks Show was A-listed in the City Pages.
Here's what they said:
According to Spectrum ArtWorks program manager (and local print artist) Amy Rice, one in four families in the United States is affected by mental illness. With a number so high, why is the stigma attached to individuals living with mental health issues still so great? Though mental illness may be a heavy label to wear, those who know people who struggle should understand that it is only one small part of many that make up a person. That is the premise behind "Living Beyond," a show featuring artists with mental health issues who transcend negativity and live full lives—showing at other galleries not focused on mental illness, working as advocates, and participating in the community as a whole. Many of the pieces featured explore the isolation of mental illness (exacerbated by society), including Christi Furnas's Fading, an image of a tired woman disappearing from the world she walks in, and Lynnda Jones's drawing of children playing on the fringes of a city. More hopeful images suggest eventual recovery, such as Brad Parson's A Bird in Hand—as water pours from a cupped hand, a swan emerges from a blooming flower.— Jessica Armbruster

Mr. and Mrs. Tilbury get packed for their trip

2007-11-28T19:49:00.000-08:00

NO COAST CRAFT-O-RAMA
November 30, 2007
3pm - 8pm
December 1, 2007
9am - 5pm

No Coast Craft-O-Rama is almost here!

2007-11-21T21:59:00.000-08:00

NO COAST CRAFT-O-RAMA
November 30, 2007
3pm - 8pm
December 1, 2007
9am - 5pm

Midtown Global Market
Lake St. &
Chicago Ave. Minneapolis

Placement Gallery Shop

2007-11-19T13:20:00.001-08:00

The Placement Gallery Shop

November 19 – December 24, 2007
651 Nicollet Mall, Gaviidae Common, street level, next to Saks
Minneapolis
Gallery Hours: M-F 10-7pm, SA 10-6pm
p. 612.338.3799

I have quite a bit of work here, plus there is a lot of amazing work by some of my favorite Minnesota artists...check it out! I posted more photos on my Flickr as well.

busy, busy, busy

2007-11-13T22:17:00.000-08:00

This coming Saturday (November 17^th) night I am in a fun group show at Fox Tax Gallery; no piece in the show is larger than four inches in diameter and there are over 40 artists. Awesome artists, artists whose work I would LOVE to own but can’t ordinarily afford. But, maybe if the art is very, very little...

Also on that same Saturday, there is a reception at Soo Visual Arts Center for another group show that I am in, Home for the Holidays.

ALSO I am in the Craft-O-Rama this year. I posted a bunch of images of the sort of stuff I am taking on my Flickr here.

PLUS Placement Gallery is popping up on Nicollet Avenue in downtown Minneapolis for the holiday shopping season and I will have lots of work there.

Art Attack

2007-10-31T20:00:00.000-07:00

This coming weekend I get to be the guest artist in the studio of Minneapolis Illustrator and Printmaker extraordinaire Sean Tubridy for the annual Art-Attack event. Yeah! Details:

Friday, November 2nd
5:00 to 10:00 p.m.
Saturday, November 3rd
12:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Sunday, November 4th
12:00 to 5:00 p.m.

The Northrup King Building
1500 Jackson Street NE
Minneapolis, MN 55413
directions

The image is a new gocco print/mixed media painting on a letter from the 1920's. I keep loving my gocco more and more. I will have oodles of the new gocco prints at the art attack event.

Hennepin County Government Center

2007-10-21T10:18:00.001-07:00

goverment center 4, originally uploaded by Amy Rice.

I have a show up at the Hennepin County Government Center. It’s a cool space. It’s in a nifty glass box across from another glass box that has a waterfall and a giant sky light. The show had a focus on process so that’s why there are many versions of the same stencil (something I would normally avoid in a show).

"Glitter" at Intermedia Arts Mind Fields Exhibition

2007-10-12T21:32:00.001-07:00

"Glitter" at Intermedia Arts Mind Fields Exhibition, originally uploaded by Amy Rice.

My first position with Spectrum Community Mental Health involved leading art classes for “Span”, a program that was specifically designed to serve adults living with a mental illness as well as cognitive impairments. Most of the Span clients had physical disabilities as well. The program had been around for some twenty years before me and the art group had established it’s own rhythm and way of doing things. For many clients there was but one way to properly finish off an art effort and that was by the addition of glitter.

“Adult artists use adult tools and mediums.” I declared. “No one can make a decent piece of art with markers and construction paper”, I pronounced. I took away the Crayola markers, the wax crayons, the painted macaroni noodles, the latch hook kits, the coloring pages, and the glitter.

We made art. I was a cheerleader for fine art, finished compositions, and creative challenges. We had shows, we sold art, we won awards, there were articles in the paper; we were a group of artists.

As artists we attended local art shows for education and inspiration. It was almost two years into my position at Spectrum when, at an outing to a local gallery, a group of Span clients stood around a beautiful piece of art made entirely of glitter. “We used to have glitter at Span”, I heard one of them say sadly.

That next day I hauled out the painted macaroni noodles, the markers, and the glitter. That next winter in a galley exhibition of my own work were paintings that glimmered a bit and if you looked closely, yep, glitter.

My intentions had been good. It had been important to me to treat these artists like the adult artists that they were. For many people living with a serious and persistent mental illness, art groups, art therapy, and occupational therapy…all of these have been embarrassing, infantilizing experiences. They have been (or have felt like to many) a way to pass the long hours of hospitalization or day treatment. The products of their efforts thwarted by the inadequacies of their materials, or made to seem irreverent as they are tossed or recycled into reusable art supplies at the end of the session.

My intentions had been good, but in limiting their access to glitter, by declaring what were adult supplies and what was childish I had taken away a choice, and as adult artists they deserved to be able to choose glitter.

At the Spectrum ArtWorks Studio we focus on fine arts and fine arts supplies. But as one of the last surviving art programs at our organization with a thirty year history involving dozens of programs that utilized art at one point or another, we have inherited all matters of arts and craft supplies and now, nothing puts a smile on my face like a finished piece of art with some well placed glitter.

painting (with glitter!) by Audrey Bernard
artistaudrey.blogspot.com/

the lost art of letter writing

2007-09-27T05:54:00.001-07:00

Ever since I found those antique journals this past summer, I've been obsessed with acquiring more old handwriting. Last week I discovered a collection of over 250 pieces of personal mail from 1889-1952 on eBay. There are love letters both sweet and illicit, news of births and of deaths, of the garden and new radios and regular day-to-day life.
Here are the first two paintings in what will hopefully be a series. The one on the left is an ode to Mary Cassatt's The Letter (Cassatt has long been an influence in my work) and the one on the right was inspired my Vermeer, who did many paintings of women writing or reading letters.

yellow leaves and bittersweet

2007-09-24T16:36:00.001-07:00

originally uploaded by Amy Rice.

title ideas anyone?

each panel 18" x 48"
mixed media

Attest and Grow: Solo Show at Gallery 122 in Minneapolis

2007-08-31T11:39:00.000-07:00

Attest and Grow: My first solo show in Minneapolis since 2005 opens at Gallery 122
next Friday evening, September 7th. There are over 25 new pieces on wood and on paper, using mediums and methods I am just beginning to explore and am exhibiting for the first time.
The show is sponsored by Radio K and Summit Brewing Company (yeah for drinking beer while looking at art!).

Gallery 122 @Hang It
122 8th St SE
Minneapolis
Opening Reception, Friday, September 7th, 7-10 pm

Home is nice.

2007-08-27T15:41:00.000-07:00

I'm home from my short trip to Philadelphia to attend the reception of my show at Art Star Gallery. Art Star was just like I imagined it would be: super cool. Art Star owners Erin and Megan were wonderful as were their friends and customers, I had a fantastic time.
Here are some photos I took exploring Philly by foot. You can see more photos from my trip, including installation shots of the show on my Flickr.

Find Your Wings at Art Star Gallery

2007-08-06T18:46:00.001-07:00

My solo show, Find Your Wings, opened in Philadelphia at Art Star Gallery on Saturday. Art Star has posted the entire show on their website here. I received a nice review for the show already in the Philadelphia City Paper and you may read it here. I will be in Philadelphia for the reception on the 25th so if you can make it, please come say hi.

In other news, I just got back from a much needed vacation in Wisconsin with family and friends, we celebrated Ella's 12th birthday with camping and swimming, and I set up a little studio in the woods and made some work for a hometown (Minneapolis home, not small town Wisconsin home) show in September. You can see the vacation photos if you would like here.

ella and the secret cupcake (com)mission

2007-07-20T14:26:00.001-07:00

ella and the secret cupcake (com)mission, originally uploaded by Amy Rice.

Delightful Too Review

2007-07-11T20:48:00.000-07:00

From Atlanta's Creative Loafing:
Delightful Too: Mutual admiration

Minneapolis artists Amy Rice and Jennifer Davis

BY FELICIA FEASTER

Published 07.11.07

Delightful Too, the Young Blood Gallery exhibition of work by Minneapolis artists Amy Rice and Jennifer Davis, is infused with a friendly, two-peas-in-a-pod vibe. Like best friends sitting down to paint each others' toenails or to read racy excerpts from Harold Robbins novels, there is a charming sense of play and intimacy in this collaborative exhibition of two women who share a fascination with vintage advertisements, girl culture, birds and bunnies, sprinkle cupcakes, retro colors, and a snarky take on the past.

Favoring juicy hues of peach, melon, sea-foam green and salmon pink, Rice and Davis also share an obvious delight in riffing on each others' creations. Almost every work in the show offers a nod to the other artist, with one of Rice's artworks invariably "inspired by" one of Davis' and vice versa. The way the artists play off of each other's work evokes the bonds that often form in female friendships with their similar rhythms of back-and forth admiration and borrowing.

Rice's work is the more graphic and visibly street-art-inspired of the two. Rice works with spray paint, acrylics and the fat, black borders of stencils. Her paintings blend the look of ads from 1940s women's magazines; an irreverent, female take on street art; and a touch of Henry Darger kink. Though her clunkier technique and more garish palette can often compare unfavorably with Davis', at its best Rice's work offers poignant evocations of both the look and the emotional texture of the past. Her re-creation of the kind of barter system practiced in childhood in the self-explanatory "You Can Hold the Bunny If I Can Wear the Mask" is a good example of the artist's loaded content.

Davis tends to work on a smaller scale, using collage, painting and drawing to create surreal little vignettes. A popular motif is human bodies with animal heads and a visual style that seems to borrow from the 1970s at some moments and the '40s at others. A typically satisfying mix of color and content is the creepy "Birthday Party," in which Davis' bright, chirpy color palette extends to the seasick hues of the children's faces.

Davis' work is fascinatingly rich in both its cultural borrowings and its air of decadence mixed with preciousness.

Delightful Too. Through July 27. Young Blood Gallery, 629 Glenwood Ave. Wed. and Fri., noon-6 p.m.; Thurs., noon-7 p.m.; Sat.-Sun., noon-5 p.m. 404-627-0393. www.youngbloodgallery.com.

Collaboration with Emma

2007-07-07T21:10:00.000-07:00

I went to a large outdoor flea market last weekend and found three yellowed, composition-style notebooks from the late 1930's all written in pencil and ink by a girl named Emma.