open studio

open studio: astable multivibrator drawing series #1 /  by kelly heaton

Astable multivibrator #1, 2016.  Graphite, watercolor, and ink on paper.  41" x 33." Kelly Heaton

Studio finances are tight these days, so I'm making images of electronics instead of building circuits or sculpting them (both of which I love but cost $).  Here's my first large drawing of an analog astable multivibrator, an oscillating circuit that I use very often.

open studio: electric boogie /  by kelly heaton

Electric Boogie, 2016.  Digital photocollage (sketch).  Kelly Heaton

A storm's heading our way, and people are saying we could get three feet of snow!  I hope we don't lose electricity.  Here's a little electric boogie dance to keep the wires alive.

open studio: coral reef /  by kelly heaton

Coral Reef, 2016.  Digital photo collage.  Kelly Heaton

Protect our rich natural heritage.  Heaven isn't somewhere we go when we die; it's right here, right now, and we're all at risk of going to Hell if we don't take care of the environment.

open studio: wish you were here /  by kelly heaton

Wish You Were Here, 2016.  Digital photo collage.  Kelly Heaton

Vintage resistors hamming it up on a trashy beach.  The ocean is green due to toxic algal bloom, but never mind.  Electricity doesn't like water, anyway.

open studio: destination wedding /  by kelly heaton

Destination Wedding, 2016. Digital photo collage. Kelly Heaton

Coral reefs have it bad.  Coral is suffering from so many different problems, it's hard to be optimistic about the existence of reef ecology beyond this century.  Increased temperatures and UV radiation lead to bleaching; water pH (think acid rain) disintegrates coral; chemical-run off is poisonous; biological waste supports algal growth where it does not belong; fisherman actually detonate underwater explosives to "catch" fish; fishermen also douse coral with cyanide to paralyze fish for capture; boats gouge coral with propellors and anchors; sediment from erosion and dredging smothers coral; people collect coral; swimmers stand on reefs without realizing their fragility; and then there's trash.

Snorkeling is one of my favorite activities.  It's like entering another world, full of color, texture and sculptural form.  There are few experiences more amazing than exploring a living reef.  Unfortunately, it is ever-harder to find reefs that are healthy ... but there I go sinking into environmental depression.  I need to make more pretty and humorous images.  Vorwärts!