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Now @ Gardner: Kris Devlin
Introduce yourself and describe your work and the genre you work in.
Hello My Name is Kris Devlin
I was born in NJ in 1979. I graduated from Rhode Island School of Design with a BFA in painting in 2008 with a partial scholarship funded by Hallmark. During the day I am pleased to work with adults with developmental disabilities making art at Skills to Succeed in Olathe, KS. My studio is located in Kansas City, MO. I work in watercolors, acrylic, and oil.
Talk about the work on view. What would you like people to know about it?
This series is an energy study. I started a health coach program in August. I am diving into reading about energetic lines in the human body, the science of habit change, and the awesome power of the human brain. Thinking about mindfulness and tools for becoming grounded and the oceans that flank the US and what they have been witness too. These paintings are what I’ve been thinking and learning about. Please feel free to reach out with any questions.
What’s the most challenging thing about your creative process?
To acknowledge doubts and address them. To respect my painting time as work and non negotiable on my calendar. Writing artists statements. It is my goal for that to be a fun natural process.
Who are the other artists you look to for inspiration?
Ari Fish, Jillian Youngbird, Heart of Gold Designs, Liz Luisada, Carmen Moreno, Devany Amber Wolfe, Jennifer Sullivan, Charline Bataille, Muffy Brandt, Emily Sall, Paula Wilson, Sjulle, Whitney Manney, Amanda Guerra, Christina Muniz … and so many more that I’m forgetting.
What are your book/music/movie recommendations?
Self help
Energetic Boundaries by Cindi Dale
The Body Keeps the Score by Bessel van der Kolk M.D.
The Power of Habit by Charles Duhigg
The Artist Way by Julia Cameron
Ideas moving forward
Murder Incorporated by Mumia Abu - Jamal and Stephen Vittoria
The Future of Humanity by Michio Kaku
The Rooftop Revolution by Danny Kennedy
The Third Industrial Revolution by Jeremy Rifkin
Fiction
The Mists of Avalon by Marion Zimmer Bradley
House of the Spirits by Isabel Allende
Exit West by Moshin Hamid
The Namesake by Jhumpa Lahiri
Our Newest Picture Books
These are our newest picture books, ordered during the month of February and early March »
Throwback Thursday: Strang Car Barn
Some of the most interestingly unique architecture in downtown Overland Park is the historic Strang Car Barn. This curved-roof building today houses Vinyl Renaissance & Audio.
jocohistory.org is your place for Johnson County, Kansas history! Follow our hashtag on Twitter.
Featured Staff Booklist: What the What: Brains
Want to learn how the mind works, or want to change how yours does? Check out this list »
Learn Languages, Genealogy Day, and Clever Candy Lit!
We dedicate this episode of Did you hear? to learning a new Language! Use your Library card to access Mango Languages or Rosetta Stone! Learn everything from Arabic to Yiddish on your computer, tablet or smartphone!
In today’s episode, Gregg Winsor & Melissa Horak-Hern sit down with Stefanie Estes to explain just what the heck Clever Candy Lit is in our “We Recommend” discussion! But first, it’s “What’s Happening.” Dave Carson hosts Amanda Wahlmier and her guest, Angela Field, to talk about Genealogy Day!
Throwback Thursday
Well, sometimes spring can be an ornery cuss! There are years it's just unwilling to come when called. Here in Johnson County, we just attach it to a tractor because, hey, the parade is waiting!
jocohistory.org is your place for Johnson County, Kansas history! Follow our hashtag on Twitter.
Now at Oak Park: Joseph Jurkiewicz
Joe Jurkiewicz is a visual artist whose paintings explore themes of desire, loneliness, anxiety and exaltation. Pulling influences from street art and fashion illustration, he creates perplexing surreal imagery developed in sketchbooks, where he explores new ideas, mark making and surrounding influences. He graduated from the Kansas City Art Institute of May 2016 with a major in Illustration.
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What would you like people to know most about your art?
That my work comes from my imagination. I find joy and catharsis while creating art and I want people to feel that in some way.
What is your creative process, and what is the most challenging part? The most rewarding?
My creative process mainly comes from the element of play. I tend to have fun while creating art-not holding to any standards or having any fear of the end result. I simply allow my work to become what it is intended.
From where do you gain inspiration?
Almost anything and everything. Talking to people, listening to music, playing video games, watching movies and drawing what I see.
What wisdom/insight would you share with your past self if you could?
Haha I would tell myself to draw more and work harder. I was young, lazy and didn’t know that hard work would pay off.
If you could recommend a book, musical artist/track/album, and movie what would they be?
Book I would recommend “start with why” by Simon Sinek. Japanese DJ producer Nujabes. Movie to watch is “Requiem for a Dream”. A must!
Corinth's READ Poster Winner
Each of our locations draws a name from the pool of kids who participated in Summer Reading to win a READ poster photoshoot. Here is Corinth Library's winner!
Corinth Library hosts many wonderful events, such as An Edible Discussion, Read to a Dog, and much more »