We are so happy to have completed this lively mural we worked in with the students at East Millbrook middle. We worked with Mr. Miller’s first period sixth graders and also with the art guild class.
After brainstorming with Nic Milner, Joanna Caves, and Marla Brautman we decided that we wanted to work with a theme that prized representation and diversity- and also celebrate the arts at this arts magnet. We wanted to take inspiration from the artists Jacob Laurence and Faith Ringgold- which led us to pick an urban setting- using the Raleigh skyline. We also included some instruments in the skyline as an homage to the music program at East Millbrook.
Each student made a simple painting representing themselves using some texture painting techniques for the clothes. The guild students helped us paint the textured background pieces that make up the skyline.
Keith and I took those pieces home and cut them to fit the skyline we had planned. Because a weather delay had interrupted our project we were able to bring the completed background back for the make up day. The students then laid the figures out in the background and glued them on.
We really enjoyed this group of creative kids- and we are so grateful for all the support and contributions from the staff. East Millbrook rocks!
Amoebas at Root elementary!
Keith and I had the pleasure of bringing our abstract aomebas to Root elementary.
To prepare, Keith cut around 70 different amoeba shapes with a jigsaw. We primed all the amoebas with kilz so they would be ready for outdoor display.
We like to use a combination of actual aomeba reference photos and abstract paintings that remind us of amoebas for inspiration with the students.
We also used several limited palettes so that we could focus on mixing colors. The results were amazing! The amoebas look very floaty along the fence and also cast some pretty cool shadows.
Striking the Balance- Penland August 2021
Last week at Penland was a transformative experience! I was granted a full scholarship to study with the amazing sculptural artist Aisha Harrison. (https://aishaharrison.com/home.html)
Originally I intended to go to Penland to create a surrealist sculptural planter for my own use. I did this- but gained so much more than I thought I would!
Aisha shared with us tools that she uses in her practice to access the rich imagery in her personal “well”. These tools are ones that I am planning to incorporate into my art practice. They include touch painting, meditation and journaling.
I am so happy to have had this amazing experience of working with Aisha. Also everyone in the class became a friend. Penland is an art utopia that I hope to return to.
Now available- mural workshops for adults!
We are now offering mural workshops for corporate or other groups!
We can collaborate with you to come up with a design that reflects company culture or values, or features your product or service in an aesthetically pleasing way. Everyone can participate in this brainstorming process!
Once we have the design mapped we will provide all materials and instructions to create the mural as a group. Everyone’s contribution is unique and important to the whole.
Depending on the amount of people participating and the size of the mural this process can take a few hours or multiple days.
Please contact if you have questions!
Abbott’s Creek nature mural
We had so much fun working in person- socially distanced- and online with the fifth graders at Abbott’s Creek! Since their school is located close to Durant road nature preserve we used that for our inspiration. We used three palettes- blue, green and earth toned. Each student painted a native NC critter in their color palette. Keith Norval and I arranged the paintings into a larger nature scene.
Martin mustangs!
Keith and I have been busy making an epic mural for Martin Middle School, where our daughter attends. This project has been made possible through the Martin Middle School PTA and the United Arts Council.
This mural was created this winter- all students were attending school virtually- and could not come together to create it. So Keith and I created over 1,000 packets of paint and tyvek (to paint on) and instructions on how to do a small abstract painting. We also highlighted some of our favorite abstract painters like Joan Mitchell and Gerhard Richter.
The project was designed to include every student at Martin and the response was overwhelming. We took the art the kids made and arranged it into a mural that is 8’ high and 24’ long- featuring the school’s mascot- Mustangs!
We are really proud of how the kids came through and glad to bring everyone together for a creative project during these bleak days.
ostranenie: (n.) encouraging people to see common things as strange, wild, or unfamiliar; defamiliarizing what is known in order to know it differently or more deeply
Museums mural at Brooks elementary
What an awesome week we had at Brooks Elementary! We gave these kids a difficult task and they rose to the occasion. The fifth graders painted a mural featuring three of Raleigh’s museums. On the left is the art museum, the science museum is represented in the middle, and the history museum is on the right. The Raleigh downtown skyline behind it. Along with painting the mural background, some students worked on individual special projects that were cut out and glued into the mural. These included the paintings in the art museum (which were based on paintings and sculptures from the NCMA’s permanent collection), self portraits as museum visitors, and animals. We are so pleased with how well everyone did! Special thanks to art teacher Olivia Moschberger and artist as well as parent volunteer Liz Esser for all of the help!
The end of an era- and a new beginning
Change is hard but necessary for growth. Keith and I will be transitioning from being at Artspace to a new artist collective- City Market Artist Collective- or CMAC. Though we leave our public studio that we have shared for 16 year, we look forward to continuing our endeavors. We have enjoyed very much helping people understand our processes and practices- and shedding some light on what it’s like to be a professional artist.
We have painted, created and sold a lot of art in our little space. It’s a place I will remember fondly- I have had so many ideas that became a reality while being there. Now we will be producing the best paintings we can, focused even more without interruption.
Although our studio will move to a private location- our art will be available for viewing and purchasing the same as ever. CMAC is literally around the corner from our former spot. We are a group of 11 professional artists. We will he keeping regular hours there. We will host workshops, classes and special collectors parties. We will have artist talks and demos. We are an organization for artists by artists who put artists first.
As always please continue to follow Keith and I on social media and sign up for our emails for updates and more information about CMAC as it becomes available! We appreciate those who have supported us over the years and allowed us to make our art life a reality. We cant wait to show you the new spot!
Abstract Amoebas at Pine Hollow Middle School
We launched our very first abstract amoeba project at Pine Hollow middle school! We prepared for the project by cutting and priming 120 different amoeba shapes. We showed the students some photos of amoebas as well as abstract paintings by Kandinsky, Miro, and Stanton MacDonald-Wright. The students created their own amoeba inspired designs with acrylic paint. Keith and I then installed them on the school’s back staircase. It was fun doing a project that brought science and art together!
Mural at Wakefield Elementary
We had a fun week at Wakefield Elementary working on a mural with the fifth graders! The mural design was inspired by the area around the Falls lake dam- which is really close to the school. Included were local landmarks- the mill house, the bike shop, and the boat house. Some students created paintings of native woodland creatures and birds for the mural. The kids did a great job- everyone worked really hard and they were so proud of their efforts. We also go lots of help from their awesome art teacher Ben Blackmon and parent volunteers Jenni Ellinger and Rosemary Ros. We loved spending time with these talented kids!
Taking time to do the quiet things
Signal box!
My signal box is done! Tucker- aka @oakcitykitty will finally have some of the glory he deserves! This is on the corner of Davie and Salisbury streets in Downtown Raleigh.
See the paintings and drawings In the available paintings section of my site - I’m donating 50% of proceeds to SAFE Haven for Cats
https://www.annapodris.com/imagined-cities
Oak City Kitty- Tucker’s signal box
I’m super excited to have been chosen to make public art for a signal box in downtown Raleigh featuring Tucker- (@oakcitykitty). Here are the preliminary drawings- I want to immortalize Tucker and celebrate his condescending personality. I got to meet with Tucker and his caretakers and I can verify he’s not joking.
Birds of the World at Lynn road Elementary
We had a beautiful day to work outside installing the birds onto the trellis we built at Lynn Road Elementary. This project wraps up our residencies for this school year. It’s been a blast! We are so proud of the kids at Lynn road- they pulled together and did their best!
My first black and white painting
In all my years of painting with oils- and there have been a lot- I have skillfully avoided the exercise of painting a black and white painting. Those who are familiar with my work will realize that I am quite a color lover. I love to mix color on the palette. I love to blend colors on the canvas. I love everything about creating color harmonies that are balanced in tone and intensity. I love using color as a language of expression.
However earlier this month I decided to challenge myself. I chose a black and white family photo that has always fascinated me. These are Norwegian- American gymnasts- one of which is an ancestor. The photo is probably from the 1920s I am estimating.
When I first began this painting I sketched it out on the canvas, then started to fill in with the appropriate tones. Early on I got really bored and was ready to abandon the project. Keith insisted that I finish it. I’m glad I listened. Once I had built up enough oil paint on the canvas I got really into painting in black and white. I liked especially painting the nuances on the rocks. I may actually work in black and white again. It’s good for the seasoned painter to go back to basics once and a while. Also I am going to hang this one in my house. I ended up really happy with the piece.
Mural at Washington Elementary
We finished installing the mural we worked on with fifth graders at Washington Elementary yesterday. Big thank you to Washington’s awesome and amazing art teacher, Sonia Drum.
Each of the five buildings represents a subject. From left to right, music, art, science and technology, math, and literature. Each student in the fifth grade was assigned a window to fill in one of the buildings in a way that shows the subject of the building. For instance, the science and tech building has a lab, and Albert Einstein, music has notes and instruments, literature has Harry Potter and the cover of Wonder, ect.
The mural is located in the library of the school and is visible as you walk in the front door of the school.
Lead Mine Elementary School birds!
We have completed another artist in residence project through the United Arts Council of Wake county!
It has been our pleasure to create this open air free standing bird installation at Lead Mine Elementary School. This may be our favorite version yet of this project! It’s interesting how the idea keeps evolving. The project is split into three sections- each fifth grade class did birds of different ecosystems- rainforest, grassland, and deciduous forest.
These kids worked hard and gave the project their all. We are so proud of all of them. We would also like to thank the art teacher of Lead Mine, Mrs. Brautman, for the use of her artroom and all of her expertise.
Nature art installation at Durant Nature Preserve
Keith and I are excited to have upped our public art game by creating a nature art installation. The call was for art using natural materials that would span the length of a fence that is up in the park while the dam is being repaired. This is a temporary artwork. We came up with the idea to paint sticks and have a color transition that undulates across the fence. Making this has been a blast- hanging out and painting in a peaceful nature park, also doing art totally unlike what we do normally. It has been gratifying to hear the positive comments of passerbys as we’ve been working on this. Thanks to the Raleigh arts commission and the staff at Durant!
Bird installation at Forest Pines Elementary
Keith Norval and I worked together with the fifth graders at Forest Pines to create a permanent bird installation for their school. 120 kids each did their own sculpture based on birds from around the world. They sculpted the birds with newspaper and tape and then plastered them and painted them. They all worked really hard and did a great job. What a talented group of kids! We really enjoyed working with them!
The final pieces are to be hung in a main hallway.
