Home Is Where the Art Is

Home. It's a nebulous concept, one that's been on my mind a lot lately. These mini quilts are an expression of longing, rootlessness - perhaps "home" is a part of us that we always carry, though it may drift to the bottom with the kleenex and loose change.

[The Home quilts were created for my top-tier Patreon patrons in 2016. I closed my Patreon page in 2022.]

Following is a more detailed look at the quilt construction process:

Notes on construction, quilting patterns.

Drawing a general outline onto the batting.

Sewing the pieces directly onto the batting, as part of a quilt-as-you-go technique.

The first one with all three layers (top, batting backing) assembled and quilted.

Quilting lines look so cool on the back.

Moving down the assembly line...

Finished blocks, photographed on a convenient hedge.

Quilting creates such wonderful textures.

More stitches. I'm not a fan of stitch-in-the-ditch, but I love getting right up toward those ditches.

home-blocks-closeup-3-500

Hand-finished binding, always perfectly imperfect.

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Cheers! Martini: Head Clog II

Martini: Head Clog II. Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 24 inches, 2016 by Sarah Atlee. $1,080 For purchase inquiries, contact Cerulean Gallery at 214.564.1199.

This post first appeared on my Patreon page.

I would like to thank the fine folks at Cerulean Gallery for hosting my paintings these last few weeks; I’m honored to be working with you. I would also like to thank my Patreon patrons for your ongoing support – you guys are the best!

Martini: Head Clog II (Detail view 1). Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 24 inches, 2016 by Sarah Atlee.

Remember that first head-clogging Martini? Here's round two.

About the Glitch Series

In the Glitch series, I use vibrant acrylic paintings to reimagine traditional still lifes for the digital age. My recent compositions combine tempting, succulent foods with "glitches" painted directly onto the canvas. An avocado is interrupted by the irregular curves of a cracked screen. The natural beauty of an heirloom tomato is marred by low-resolution errors and broken pixels.

Historically, still life paintings are windows onto impossibly perfect worlds. This illusion of perfection continues into our daily lives on the Internet, as we live from one Insta-worthy moment to another. Why not use the flaws of online technology to break into that illusion?

Martini: Head Clog II (Detail view 2). Acrylic on canvas, 24 x 24 inches, 2016 by Sarah Atlee.

Thanks to everyone who came to see the show!

Want to stay up-to-date on my newest exhibitions? Hop on over here and sign up for my email list. You can also follow me on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest.

All Roads Lead Home

Turn Left for Tamales Acrylic on canvas, 20 x 20 inches, 2016 by Sarah Atlee. $1,080 For purchase inquiries, contact Cerulean Gallery at 214.564.1199.

This post also appears on my Patreon page.

I would like to thank the fine folks at Cerulean Gallery for hosting my paintings these last few weeks; I'm honored to be working with you. I would also like to thank my Patreon patrons for your ongoing support - you guys are the best!

Want to get art in the mail? Here's where you go for that.

Home. It's a nebulous concept. Is it the place you're from? Where you live now? Some intangible combination of everywhere you've been?

I grew up in Albuquerque, New Mexico. They don't call it the Land of Enchantment for nothing; it's a place that stays with you. And nothing tells you that you've come back quite like a plate of hot, home-cooked tamales.

Turn Left for Tamales is inspired by the food I ate last time I was at Ghost Ranch, another one of those places that really gets into you. Just like our memories, the image is fragmented, distorted, seems to bleed around the edges. Like the idea of home.

I'm living in a different place than I was when I started the Glitch series. I'm in Oklahoma now, the place where I was born, the place where I will always be able to go. I didn't know how much it would feel like home until I came back. I don't know what home is right now. I'm looking for it inside myself. But I know I'm on the right road. I can smell the tamales.

Turn Left for Tamales is available at Cerulean Gallery as part of the exhibition On Edge Part I, featuring work by Sarah Atlee, Fritz Danner, Nic Noblique, and Victoria Taylor-Gore, on display 16 September – 28 October 2016. Visit Cerulean Gallery to learn more.

Where My Okies At

I lived in Oklahoma for seven outta-sight years. It's where my art career really began. I'm in Austin now, but Oklahoma will always have a cherished place in my heart.

That's why I have a special message for my Okie supporters and collectors. (Hi, guys! Lookin' good!)

I've lived in Austin for three years now, and I work with two excellent Texas galleries:

Cerulean Gallery in Amarillo Ro2 Art in Dallas

I have a show coming up soon at Cerulean. On Edge opens on Friday, 16 September 2016, and runs through 28 October. I've been working very hard this year to present you with the best paintings I've ever created.

On September 16th, I'll be at the opening with a big big smile on my face.

You know who I would love to see there? You.

Would you consider making the trip?

I'm asking two months in advance so you'll have time to make travel plans. Amarillo is about 3.5 to 4 hours by car from Oklahoma City. You won't believe how that time flies when you're carpooling with friends.

In addition to the amazing art show at Cerulean Gallery (wink), here are some other things to do during your visit:

Get Your Kicks on Route 66

Have chicken fried steak at Lucille's Roadhouse

Visit Palo Duro Canyon

Take selfies at Cadillac Ranch

Indulge with wine & cheese at OHMS Cafe & Bar

Wake up to Roasters Coffee

Take in two great exhibitions at the Amarillo Museum of Art: Light on the Plains: Frank Reaugh pastels from the Panhandle Plains Historical Museum Side by Side: Larry Bell and Gabriel Dawe

Take the challenge at The Big Texan

Hope to see you there!

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Cheers! For Real.

Wineglass. Acrylic on canvas, 12 x 12 inches by Sarah Atlee.

For Real at Ro2 Art in Dallas is coming to an end. I want to extend my sincere gratitude to Jordan and Susan Roth for being my gracious hosts - you guys are awesome.

Join us Sunday, March 8th 2015 for a closing reception and artist talk. All the details are right here.

What's Next? Sign up for my email announcements and you won't miss a thing!

For Real has been reviewed by Jenny Block for The Huffington Post! Read the full review here: "A Hyperrealism That Questions Reality With James Zamora and Sarah Atlee at RO2 Art"