Koshka Zine

I had a productive weekend and these were the result! These holiday cards (kindly non-denominational) are now for “pre-order” on atelier k. Pre-order doesn’t mean much, the cost will be the same later, but since there are only 19 sets left you have to get them now before they go fast! You’ll get five 5x7” flat cards printed on uncoated stock with really nice French Paper Speckletone kraft paper envelopes! Each pack is $10 plus $4 shipping, anywhere in the world. If you order more than one pack, the additional shipping per pack is just a dollar. I’m hoping these “pre-order”-type things work out, because I need to make some money to be able to produce other projects. Printing costs add up extremely quickly, and digital printing is the best option for the types of things I make. Anything I make off these will be used to print promotional booklets to send to magazine art departments, in hope that I can get some more illustration jobs in the future! I’m also considering designing fabric patterns on Spoonflower, but need to figure some stuff out about making repeats and using their color scale system. Also, PLEASE DO NOT REBLOG WITH NO CREDIT! I’ll murder you with my brain. Art by Kaitlin Kostus, 2012.

I had a productive weekend and these were the result! These holiday cards (kindly non-denominational) are now for “pre-order” on atelier k. Pre-order doesn’t mean much, the cost will be the same later, but since there are only 19 sets left you have to get them now before they go fast!

You’ll get five 5x7” flat cards printed on uncoated stock with really nice French Paper Speckletone kraft paper envelopes! Each pack is $10 plus $4 shipping, anywhere in the world. If you order more than one pack, the additional shipping per pack is just a dollar.

I’m hoping these “pre-order”-type things work out, because I need to make some money to be able to produce other projects. Printing costs add up extremely quickly, and digital printing is the best option for the types of things I make. Anything I make off these will be used to print promotional booklets to send to magazine art departments, in hope that I can get some more illustration jobs in the future! I’m also considering designing fabric patterns on Spoonflower, but need to figure some stuff out about making repeats and using their color scale system.

Also, PLEASE DO NOT REBLOG WITH NO CREDIT! I’ll murder you with my brain. Art by Kaitlin Kostus, 2012.

# kaitlin kostus illustration holiday cards mittens folk patterns Latvia Latvija French Paper stationery

Posted 7 months ago 2 notes
kushkomikss: SPECIAL DEALS ON THREE OF OUR NEWEST ISSUES! SAVE MONEY AND FILL UP YOUR Š! LIBRARY. DEAL LASTS ONLY UNTIL FRIDAY 12/10/12 AND COPIES ARE LIMITED. Kus! Komikss has a sale on some of their latest issues, because they need more money to cover printing costs. I interviewed their creator, David Schilter, for Koshka Zine #1, and was lucky to meet him at an excellent exhibition he organized in Riga. He and Sanita run everything behind Kus!, and they do an amazing job putting out quite a few books each year, participating in comics festivals, and posting news about artists they work with each and every day. Speaking as a self-publisher, I can’t stress how important it is to buy publications directly from their creators. Because of internet posting there can be a facade that we sell tons and tons of stuff, or that we get the money and use it for new jeans or whatever, and that is so far from what self-publishing is actually like. I always jokingly refer to my “Zine Millions”, which are the few bucks a month I make off my publications from selling in local shops or off my website. So, in short we’re lucky to get a sandwich out of anything we make (not to mention that printing costs are often paid out-of-pocket among other promotional costs that may also be incurred, so it is a constant state of deficit), let alone pay bills or give something to the contributors we work with. In short, take advantage of the Kus! sale or buy any of their other high-quality publications, you won’t regret it! View Larger

kushkomikss:

SPECIAL DEALS ON THREE OF OUR NEWEST ISSUES! SAVE MONEY AND FILL UP YOUR Š! LIBRARY. DEAL LASTS ONLY UNTIL FRIDAY 12/10/12 AND COPIES ARE LIMITED.

Kus! Komikss has a sale on some of their latest issues, because they need more money to cover printing costs. I interviewed their creator, David Schilter, for Koshka Zine #1, and was lucky to meet him at an excellent exhibition he organized in Riga. He and Sanita run everything behind Kus!, and they do an amazing job putting out quite a few books each year, participating in comics festivals, and posting news about artists they work with each and every day.

Speaking as a self-publisher, I can’t stress how important it is to buy publications directly from their creators. Because of internet posting there can be a facade that we sell tons and tons of stuff, or that we get the money and use it for new jeans or whatever, and that is so far from what self-publishing is actually like. I always jokingly refer to my “Zine Millions”, which are the few bucks a month I make off my publications from selling in local shops or off my website. So, in short we’re lucky to get a sandwich out of anything we make (not to mention that printing costs are often paid out-of-pocket among other promotional costs that may also be incurred, so it is a constant state of deficit), let alone pay bills or give something to the contributors we work with.

In short, take advantage of the Kus! sale or buy any of their other high-quality publications, you won’t regret it!

# Kus! comics Latvia Latvija David Schilter self-publishing zine millions Riga good stuff to read Buy independent for crying out loud!

Reblogged 7 months ago from kushkomikss 39 notes
REMINDERS!! Until the end of September, you can get issues #1 and #2 of Koshka Zine plus a 1” Koshka Kat button (and probably some postcards and other goodies as well) for $10 + a few bones shipping in the shop!! Also, the deadline to participate in Koshka #3, “The Latvian Issue”, is October 31st! Email all works to koshkazine@gmail.com for consideration. You’ll get a few free issues sent to you for participating. Photo: The first melon of the summer, which we ate in the forest next to Rundale Palace in Bauska, LV. Photo by Kaitlin Kostus, 2012. View Larger

REMINDERS!! Until the end of September, you can get issues #1 and #2 of Koshka Zine plus a 1” Koshka Kat button (and probably some postcards and other goodies as well) for $10 + a few bones shipping in the shop!!

Also, the deadline to participate in Koshka #3, “The Latvian Issue”, is October 31st! Email all works to koshkazine@gmail.com for consideration. You’ll get a few free issues sent to you for participating.

Photo: The first melon of the summer, which we ate in the forest next to Rundale Palace in Bauska, LV. Photo by Kaitlin Kostus, 2012.

# Latvia Riga Rundale Palace participate shop zine submissions zines melon forest Bauska

Posted 8 months ago 1 note
Call for submissions!Koshka Zine #3 “The Latvia Issue” Deadline: October 31st, 2012 The time has come again to submit your work to Koshka Zine. The third issue will be thematically tied to the country of Latvia, an amazing country I recently had the pleasure of visiting. This call is open to artists and writers of all nations, although Latvians/those of Latvian descent and works best fitting within the theme will be given priority. We strongly encourage Latvian language works as well, or works translated in both English and Latvian (sorry, the translation must be done on your end. We don’t have the resources for this). We are also really seeking non-mainstream voices from Latvian society, specifically LGBTQ Latvians or Latvians of color/POC living in Latvia. What you can submit: -essays, articles, interviews, profiles, creative nonfiction, travel journals, reviews, lists, and all other nonfiction-based writings (basically, no poetry or fiction). General word count should be about 1,500 words, but we’d probably publish something longer if it was great and shorter is always welcome. -comics, illustrated “comic-essays” -artworks, drawings, photography, and all other visual artworks. Single artworks are less likely to appear; rather, we prefer 3-5 works that have cohesion within the theme that present more like an essay or portfolio. IMPORTANT FILE INFORMATION: word-based works: all articles should be sent as a .doc or .rtf file—NO .docx files, I have very old Windows that won’t open it! Visual works should be at 300dpi for best print quality, but don’t need to be any larger than the full size of the actual page size, which will be 5.5 x 8.5” (13.97 x 21.59 cm). It is not yet determined if this issue will be printed in black and white or full color, so if your work is full color send it in color, and we’ll change it to greyscale if need be. If you have more than 5 files to submit, please email first or use a free file-sharing site, such as yousendit.com. FOR ALL WORKS, please include a short 2-3 sentence bio with your name/nom de plume/pseudonym and a few words about who you are and what you do. All submissions should be emailed to koshkazine@gmail.com by November 1st, 2012. View Larger

Call for submissions!Koshka Zine #3 “The Latvia Issue”

Deadline: October 31st, 2012


The time has come again to submit your work to Koshka Zine. The third issue will be thematically tied to the country of Latvia, an amazing country I recently had the pleasure of visiting. This call is open to artists and writers of all nations, although Latvians/those of Latvian descent and works best fitting within the theme will be given priority. We strongly encourage Latvian language works as well, or works translated in both English and Latvian (sorry, the translation must be done on your end. We don’t have the resources for this). We are also really seeking non-mainstream voices from Latvian society, specifically LGBTQ Latvians or Latvians of color/POC living in Latvia.

What you can submit:

-essays, articles, interviews, profiles, creative nonfiction, travel journals, reviews, lists, and all other nonfiction-based writings (basically, no poetry or fiction). General word count should be about 1,500 words, but we’d probably publish something longer if it was great and shorter is always welcome.

-comics, illustrated “comic-essays”

-artworks, drawings, photography, and all other visual artworks. Single artworks are less likely to appear; rather, we prefer 3-5 works that have cohesion within the theme that present more like an essay or portfolio.

IMPORTANT FILE INFORMATION:

word-based works: all articles should be sent as a .doc or .rtf file—NO .docx files, I have very old Windows that won’t open it!

Visual works should be at 300dpi for best print quality, but don’t need to be any larger than the full size of the actual page size, which will be 5.5 x 8.5” (13.97 x 21.59 cm). It is not yet determined if this issue will be printed in black and white or full color, so if your work is full color send it in color, and we’ll change it to greyscale if need be. If you have more than 5 files to submit, please email first or use a free file-sharing site, such as yousendit.com.

FOR ALL WORKS, please include a short 2-3 sentence bio with your name/nom de plume/pseudonym and a few words about who you are and what you do.

All submissions should be emailed to koshkazine@gmail.com by November 1st, 2012.

# Latvia Latvija Koshka Zine submissions writing art zines comics illustrations interviews photography nonfiction essays articles travel

Posted 8 months ago 29 notes
I feel as though I’ve neglected this blog a bit lately, as Koshka #2 has been out awhile and I have been doing a lot of other things and posting on my more personal art blog. My Wordpress blog links directly to Tumblr which is great when the content matches, but sometimes I forget and a post about me selling my old crap on Ebay might end up here, so I apologize for that. I’d like to post more original content here and archive some books and objects I have from Eastern Europe. These images are from a book we picked up in Riga called Usaina Puķe by Leons Briedis, published in 1990 (Baltic independence year, yeah!). Since I’m not the one in this household that knows Latvian I can’t tell you much about the content other than that there are anthropomorphic cats and other fascinating illustrations done in watercolor. A few really awesome full-spread moments happen as well in the illustration. Oh and fear not if you are confused by the presence of an English word that seems in strange use here: puķe actually means flower in Latvian. We were in a health food store and I saw a package of sunflower seeds which said Saule Puķe on the package, which would mean Sunflower, but I instead combined the Latvian meanings with English and would call them “Sun Puke”, because I am a truly immature human being.I feel as though I’ve neglected this blog a bit lately, as Koshka #2 has been out awhile and I have been doing a lot of other things and posting on my more personal art blog. My Wordpress blog links directly to Tumblr which is great when the content matches, but sometimes I forget and a post about me selling my old crap on Ebay might end up here, so I apologize for that. I’d like to post more original content here and archive some books and objects I have from Eastern Europe. These images are from a book we picked up in Riga called Usaina Puķe by Leons Briedis, published in 1990 (Baltic independence year, yeah!). Since I’m not the one in this household that knows Latvian I can’t tell you much about the content other than that there are anthropomorphic cats and other fascinating illustrations done in watercolor. A few really awesome full-spread moments happen as well in the illustration. Oh and fear not if you are confused by the presence of an English word that seems in strange use here: puķe actually means flower in Latvian. We were in a health food store and I saw a package of sunflower seeds which said Saule Puķe on the package, which would mean Sunflower, but I instead combined the Latvian meanings with English and would call them “Sun Puke”, because I am a truly immature human being.I feel as though I’ve neglected this blog a bit lately, as Koshka #2 has been out awhile and I have been doing a lot of other things and posting on my more personal art blog. My Wordpress blog links directly to Tumblr which is great when the content matches, but sometimes I forget and a post about me selling my old crap on Ebay might end up here, so I apologize for that. I’d like to post more original content here and archive some books and objects I have from Eastern Europe. These images are from a book we picked up in Riga called Usaina Puķe by Leons Briedis, published in 1990 (Baltic independence year, yeah!). Since I’m not the one in this household that knows Latvian I can’t tell you much about the content other than that there are anthropomorphic cats and other fascinating illustrations done in watercolor. A few really awesome full-spread moments happen as well in the illustration. Oh and fear not if you are confused by the presence of an English word that seems in strange use here: puķe actually means flower in Latvian. We were in a health food store and I saw a package of sunflower seeds which said Saule Puķe on the package, which would mean Sunflower, but I instead combined the Latvian meanings with English and would call them “Sun Puke”, because I am a truly immature human being.I feel as though I’ve neglected this blog a bit lately, as Koshka #2 has been out awhile and I have been doing a lot of other things and posting on my more personal art blog. My Wordpress blog links directly to Tumblr which is great when the content matches, but sometimes I forget and a post about me selling my old crap on Ebay might end up here, so I apologize for that. I’d like to post more original content here and archive some books and objects I have from Eastern Europe. These images are from a book we picked up in Riga called Usaina Puķe by Leons Briedis, published in 1990 (Baltic independence year, yeah!). Since I’m not the one in this household that knows Latvian I can’t tell you much about the content other than that there are anthropomorphic cats and other fascinating illustrations done in watercolor. A few really awesome full-spread moments happen as well in the illustration. Oh and fear not if you are confused by the presence of an English word that seems in strange use here: puķe actually means flower in Latvian. We were in a health food store and I saw a package of sunflower seeds which said Saule Puķe on the package, which would mean Sunflower, but I instead combined the Latvian meanings with English and would call them “Sun Puke”, because I am a truly immature human being.I feel as though I’ve neglected this blog a bit lately, as Koshka #2 has been out awhile and I have been doing a lot of other things and posting on my more personal art blog. My Wordpress blog links directly to Tumblr which is great when the content matches, but sometimes I forget and a post about me selling my old crap on Ebay might end up here, so I apologize for that. I’d like to post more original content here and archive some books and objects I have from Eastern Europe. These images are from a book we picked up in Riga called Usaina Puķe by Leons Briedis, published in 1990 (Baltic independence year, yeah!). Since I’m not the one in this household that knows Latvian I can’t tell you much about the content other than that there are anthropomorphic cats and other fascinating illustrations done in watercolor. A few really awesome full-spread moments happen as well in the illustration. Oh and fear not if you are confused by the presence of an English word that seems in strange use here: puķe actually means flower in Latvian. We were in a health food store and I saw a package of sunflower seeds which said Saule Puķe on the package, which would mean Sunflower, but I instead combined the Latvian meanings with English and would call them “Sun Puke”, because I am a truly immature human being.I feel as though I’ve neglected this blog a bit lately, as Koshka #2 has been out awhile and I have been doing a lot of other things and posting on my more personal art blog. My Wordpress blog links directly to Tumblr which is great when the content matches, but sometimes I forget and a post about me selling my old crap on Ebay might end up here, so I apologize for that. I’d like to post more original content here and archive some books and objects I have from Eastern Europe. These images are from a book we picked up in Riga called Usaina Puķe by Leons Briedis, published in 1990 (Baltic independence year, yeah!). Since I’m not the one in this household that knows Latvian I can’t tell you much about the content other than that there are anthropomorphic cats and other fascinating illustrations done in watercolor. A few really awesome full-spread moments happen as well in the illustration. Oh and fear not if you are confused by the presence of an English word that seems in strange use here: puķe actually means flower in Latvian. We were in a health food store and I saw a package of sunflower seeds which said Saule Puķe on the package, which would mean Sunflower, but I instead combined the Latvian meanings with English and would call them “Sun Puke”, because I am a truly immature human being.I feel as though I’ve neglected this blog a bit lately, as Koshka #2 has been out awhile and I have been doing a lot of other things and posting on my more personal art blog. My Wordpress blog links directly to Tumblr which is great when the content matches, but sometimes I forget and a post about me selling my old crap on Ebay might end up here, so I apologize for that. I’d like to post more original content here and archive some books and objects I have from Eastern Europe. These images are from a book we picked up in Riga called Usaina Puķe by Leons Briedis, published in 1990 (Baltic independence year, yeah!). Since I’m not the one in this household that knows Latvian I can’t tell you much about the content other than that there are anthropomorphic cats and other fascinating illustrations done in watercolor. A few really awesome full-spread moments happen as well in the illustration. Oh and fear not if you are confused by the presence of an English word that seems in strange use here: puķe actually means flower in Latvian. We were in a health food store and I saw a package of sunflower seeds which said Saule Puķe on the package, which would mean Sunflower, but I instead combined the Latvian meanings with English and would call them “Sun Puke”, because I am a truly immature human being.

I feel as though I’ve neglected this blog a bit lately, as Koshka #2 has been out awhile and I have been doing a lot of other things and posting on my more personal art blog. My Wordpress blog links directly to Tumblr which is great when the content matches, but sometimes I forget and a post about me selling my old crap on Ebay might end up here, so I apologize for that. I’d like to post more original content here and archive some books and objects I have from Eastern Europe.

These images are from a book we picked up in Riga called Usaina Puķe by Leons Briedis, published in 1990 (Baltic independence year, yeah!). Since I’m not the one in this household that knows Latvian I can’t tell you much about the content other than that there are anthropomorphic cats and other fascinating illustrations done in watercolor. A few really awesome full-spread moments happen as well in the illustration.

Oh and fear not if you are confused by the presence of an English word that seems in strange use here: puķe actually means flower in Latvian. We were in a health food store and I saw a package of sunflower seeds which said Saule Puķe on the package, which would mean Sunflower, but I instead combined the Latvian meanings with English and would call them “Sun Puke”, because I am a truly immature human being.

# Usaina puķe Latvia Leons Briedis cats illustration 1990 old books Baltic storybook watercolor

Posted 9 months ago 6 notes
Szcze House In Riga, we had the pleasure of staying in a lovely house dating from before World War I in the neighborhood of Mežaparks, located a mere ten-minute tram ride outside of Centrs. Our accommodations were arranged through David Schilter of Kuš!, whom I interviewed by email for Koshka #1. Most of the time when we travel, we tend to stay with friends or internet friends who become real-life friends, which always makes for a much more interesting and personalized experience.  David set us up with Kristaps, Maija, and Edgars at Szcze House, and it was a great to get to know the real Latvia instead of being trapped at an overpriced Vecriga hotel or party hostel.  The house and the neighborhood are nothing short of amazing, particularly to an American like me who is not often in the vicinity of buildings that are SO OLD. Everything in Riga is somewhat falling apart due to age, and the unfortunate effect of austerity measures due to the global financial crisis. Most houses in Mežaparks have been remodeled into glorious homes for the wealthy, but Szcze House (named for the Polish-named street, Ščecinas iela, on which it resides) is a humble cottage that has been loved hard for many decades. Fascinating remnants abound within the house from both the Germanic eras of Riga as well as from when the house served as communal-style living during Soviet times. Maija, Kristaps, and Edgars were lovely hosts, and often meals were made for all to enjoy, with lots of fresh produce and herbs from the garden. We also became fast friends with Skudra, the house cat (or house manager of Szcze House, depending on who you ask!). There was also a pleasant morning wake-up call from Hermanis the rooster, who presides over his harem of three hens in the garden. Szcze House is open to having future guests, so if you are planning a stay in Riga and would like to meet and get to know some fantastic artists from the city and have a more lived-in experience, feel free to ‘like’ them on Facebook! Their rates are very reasonable for a room and you will make friends, share stories, and also share many great meals. Szcze House on Facebook!Szcze House In Riga, we had the pleasure of staying in a lovely house dating from before World War I in the neighborhood of Mežaparks, located a mere ten-minute tram ride outside of Centrs. Our accommodations were arranged through David Schilter of Kuš!, whom I interviewed by email for Koshka #1. Most of the time when we travel, we tend to stay with friends or internet friends who become real-life friends, which always makes for a much more interesting and personalized experience.  David set us up with Kristaps, Maija, and Edgars at Szcze House, and it was a great to get to know the real Latvia instead of being trapped at an overpriced Vecriga hotel or party hostel.  The house and the neighborhood are nothing short of amazing, particularly to an American like me who is not often in the vicinity of buildings that are SO OLD. Everything in Riga is somewhat falling apart due to age, and the unfortunate effect of austerity measures due to the global financial crisis. Most houses in Mežaparks have been remodeled into glorious homes for the wealthy, but Szcze House (named for the Polish-named street, Ščecinas iela, on which it resides) is a humble cottage that has been loved hard for many decades. Fascinating remnants abound within the house from both the Germanic eras of Riga as well as from when the house served as communal-style living during Soviet times. Maija, Kristaps, and Edgars were lovely hosts, and often meals were made for all to enjoy, with lots of fresh produce and herbs from the garden. We also became fast friends with Skudra, the house cat (or house manager of Szcze House, depending on who you ask!). There was also a pleasant morning wake-up call from Hermanis the rooster, who presides over his harem of three hens in the garden. Szcze House is open to having future guests, so if you are planning a stay in Riga and would like to meet and get to know some fantastic artists from the city and have a more lived-in experience, feel free to ‘like’ them on Facebook! Their rates are very reasonable for a room and you will make friends, share stories, and also share many great meals. Szcze House on Facebook!Szcze House In Riga, we had the pleasure of staying in a lovely house dating from before World War I in the neighborhood of Mežaparks, located a mere ten-minute tram ride outside of Centrs. Our accommodations were arranged through David Schilter of Kuš!, whom I interviewed by email for Koshka #1. Most of the time when we travel, we tend to stay with friends or internet friends who become real-life friends, which always makes for a much more interesting and personalized experience.  David set us up with Kristaps, Maija, and Edgars at Szcze House, and it was a great to get to know the real Latvia instead of being trapped at an overpriced Vecriga hotel or party hostel.  The house and the neighborhood are nothing short of amazing, particularly to an American like me who is not often in the vicinity of buildings that are SO OLD. Everything in Riga is somewhat falling apart due to age, and the unfortunate effect of austerity measures due to the global financial crisis. Most houses in Mežaparks have been remodeled into glorious homes for the wealthy, but Szcze House (named for the Polish-named street, Ščecinas iela, on which it resides) is a humble cottage that has been loved hard for many decades. Fascinating remnants abound within the house from both the Germanic eras of Riga as well as from when the house served as communal-style living during Soviet times. Maija, Kristaps, and Edgars were lovely hosts, and often meals were made for all to enjoy, with lots of fresh produce and herbs from the garden. We also became fast friends with Skudra, the house cat (or house manager of Szcze House, depending on who you ask!). There was also a pleasant morning wake-up call from Hermanis the rooster, who presides over his harem of three hens in the garden. Szcze House is open to having future guests, so if you are planning a stay in Riga and would like to meet and get to know some fantastic artists from the city and have a more lived-in experience, feel free to ‘like’ them on Facebook! Their rates are very reasonable for a room and you will make friends, share stories, and also share many great meals. Szcze House on Facebook!Szcze House In Riga, we had the pleasure of staying in a lovely house dating from before World War I in the neighborhood of Mežaparks, located a mere ten-minute tram ride outside of Centrs. Our accommodations were arranged through David Schilter of Kuš!, whom I interviewed by email for Koshka #1. Most of the time when we travel, we tend to stay with friends or internet friends who become real-life friends, which always makes for a much more interesting and personalized experience.  David set us up with Kristaps, Maija, and Edgars at Szcze House, and it was a great to get to know the real Latvia instead of being trapped at an overpriced Vecriga hotel or party hostel.  The house and the neighborhood are nothing short of amazing, particularly to an American like me who is not often in the vicinity of buildings that are SO OLD. Everything in Riga is somewhat falling apart due to age, and the unfortunate effect of austerity measures due to the global financial crisis. Most houses in Mežaparks have been remodeled into glorious homes for the wealthy, but Szcze House (named for the Polish-named street, Ščecinas iela, on which it resides) is a humble cottage that has been loved hard for many decades. Fascinating remnants abound within the house from both the Germanic eras of Riga as well as from when the house served as communal-style living during Soviet times. Maija, Kristaps, and Edgars were lovely hosts, and often meals were made for all to enjoy, with lots of fresh produce and herbs from the garden. We also became fast friends with Skudra, the house cat (or house manager of Szcze House, depending on who you ask!). There was also a pleasant morning wake-up call from Hermanis the rooster, who presides over his harem of three hens in the garden. Szcze House is open to having future guests, so if you are planning a stay in Riga and would like to meet and get to know some fantastic artists from the city and have a more lived-in experience, feel free to ‘like’ them on Facebook! Their rates are very reasonable for a room and you will make friends, share stories, and also share many great meals. Szcze House on Facebook!Szcze House In Riga, we had the pleasure of staying in a lovely house dating from before World War I in the neighborhood of Mežaparks, located a mere ten-minute tram ride outside of Centrs. Our accommodations were arranged through David Schilter of Kuš!, whom I interviewed by email for Koshka #1. Most of the time when we travel, we tend to stay with friends or internet friends who become real-life friends, which always makes for a much more interesting and personalized experience.  David set us up with Kristaps, Maija, and Edgars at Szcze House, and it was a great to get to know the real Latvia instead of being trapped at an overpriced Vecriga hotel or party hostel.  The house and the neighborhood are nothing short of amazing, particularly to an American like me who is not often in the vicinity of buildings that are SO OLD. Everything in Riga is somewhat falling apart due to age, and the unfortunate effect of austerity measures due to the global financial crisis. Most houses in Mežaparks have been remodeled into glorious homes for the wealthy, but Szcze House (named for the Polish-named street, Ščecinas iela, on which it resides) is a humble cottage that has been loved hard for many decades. Fascinating remnants abound within the house from both the Germanic eras of Riga as well as from when the house served as communal-style living during Soviet times. Maija, Kristaps, and Edgars were lovely hosts, and often meals were made for all to enjoy, with lots of fresh produce and herbs from the garden. We also became fast friends with Skudra, the house cat (or house manager of Szcze House, depending on who you ask!). There was also a pleasant morning wake-up call from Hermanis the rooster, who presides over his harem of three hens in the garden. Szcze House is open to having future guests, so if you are planning a stay in Riga and would like to meet and get to know some fantastic artists from the city and have a more lived-in experience, feel free to ‘like’ them on Facebook! Their rates are very reasonable for a room and you will make friends, share stories, and also share many great meals. Szcze House on Facebook!Szcze House In Riga, we had the pleasure of staying in a lovely house dating from before World War I in the neighborhood of Mežaparks, located a mere ten-minute tram ride outside of Centrs. Our accommodations were arranged through David Schilter of Kuš!, whom I interviewed by email for Koshka #1. Most of the time when we travel, we tend to stay with friends or internet friends who become real-life friends, which always makes for a much more interesting and personalized experience.  David set us up with Kristaps, Maija, and Edgars at Szcze House, and it was a great to get to know the real Latvia instead of being trapped at an overpriced Vecriga hotel or party hostel.  The house and the neighborhood are nothing short of amazing, particularly to an American like me who is not often in the vicinity of buildings that are SO OLD. Everything in Riga is somewhat falling apart due to age, and the unfortunate effect of austerity measures due to the global financial crisis. Most houses in Mežaparks have been remodeled into glorious homes for the wealthy, but Szcze House (named for the Polish-named street, Ščecinas iela, on which it resides) is a humble cottage that has been loved hard for many decades. Fascinating remnants abound within the house from both the Germanic eras of Riga as well as from when the house served as communal-style living during Soviet times. Maija, Kristaps, and Edgars were lovely hosts, and often meals were made for all to enjoy, with lots of fresh produce and herbs from the garden. We also became fast friends with Skudra, the house cat (or house manager of Szcze House, depending on who you ask!). There was also a pleasant morning wake-up call from Hermanis the rooster, who presides over his harem of three hens in the garden. Szcze House is open to having future guests, so if you are planning a stay in Riga and would like to meet and get to know some fantastic artists from the city and have a more lived-in experience, feel free to ‘like’ them on Facebook! Their rates are very reasonable for a room and you will make friends, share stories, and also share many great meals. Szcze House on Facebook!

Szcze House

In Riga, we had the pleasure of staying in a lovely house dating from before World War I in the neighborhood of Mežaparks, located a mere ten-minute tram ride outside of Centrs. Our accommodations were arranged through David Schilter of Kuš!, whom I interviewed by email for Koshka #1. Most of the time when we travel, we tend to stay with friends or internet friends who become real-life friends, which always makes for a much more interesting and personalized experience.  David set us up with Kristaps, Maija, and Edgars at Szcze House, and it was a great to get to know the real Latvia instead of being trapped at an overpriced Vecriga hotel or party hostel. 

The house and the neighborhood are nothing short of amazing, particularly to an American like me who is not often in the vicinity of buildings that are SO OLD. Everything in Riga is somewhat falling apart due to age, and the unfortunate effect of austerity measures due to the global financial crisis. Most houses in Mežaparks have been remodeled into glorious homes for the wealthy, but Szcze House (named for the Polish-named street, Ščecinas iela, on which it resides) is a humble cottage that has been loved hard for many decades. Fascinating remnants abound within the house from both the Germanic eras of Riga as well as from when the house served as communal-style living during Soviet times.

Maija, Kristaps, and Edgars were lovely hosts, and often meals were made for all to enjoy, with lots of fresh produce and herbs from the garden. We also became fast friends with Skudra, the house cat (or house manager of Szcze House, depending on who you ask!). There was also a pleasant morning wake-up call from Hermanis the rooster, who presides over his harem of three hens in the garden.

Szcze House is open to having future guests, so if you are planning a stay in Riga and would like to meet and get to know some fantastic artists from the city and have a more lived-in experience, feel free to ‘like’ them on Facebook! Their rates are very reasonable for a room and you will make friends, share stories, and also share many great meals.


Szcze House on Facebook!

# Szcze House Riga Latvia baltic travel Mezaparks Scecinas Iela cat rooster communal homes Maija Kurseva Edgars Jurjans Kristaps Pukitis garden

Posted 10 months ago 2 notes
On a non-publishing note, I have a solo exhibition coming up next month at Chicago’s Woman Made Gallery, a great feminist non-profit gallery with whom I have participated in a few group shows as well.  I’ll be showing my new series, “The One Who Rises”, which is a collection of paintings and sculptures based on Baltic pagan lore (specifically Latvian and Lithuanian), along with my own additions and twists. There will also be the 15th International Open group show going on, as well as another solo exhibition by Claudia Kleefeld…basically, a lot to see! If your in Chicago, please come visit, either at the opening or during normal gallery hours: Opening Reception: Friday, March 2nd, 2012 from 6-9pm All the aforementioned shows run from March 2nd until April 26th. Woman Made Gallery 685 N. Milwaukee Ave. Chicago, IL 60642 For those outside of the area, WMG is great with archiving all their shows online, so I’ll let you know when a link is available. Poster designed by Robert Krums, http://www.cargocollective.com/robertkrums View Larger

On a non-publishing note, I have a solo exhibition coming up next month at Chicago’s Woman Made Gallery, a great feminist non-profit gallery with whom I have participated in a few group shows as well.  I’ll be showing my new series, “The One Who Rises”, which is a collection of paintings and sculptures based on Baltic pagan lore (specifically Latvian and Lithuanian), along with my own additions and twists. There will also be the 15th International Open group show going on, as well as another solo exhibition by Claudia Kleefeld…basically, a lot to see!

If your in Chicago, please come visit, either at the opening or during normal gallery hours:

Opening Reception: Friday, March 2nd, 2012 from 6-9pm

All the aforementioned shows run from March 2nd until April 26th.

Woman Made Gallery

685 N. Milwaukee Ave.

Chicago, IL 60642

For those outside of the area, WMG is great with archiving all their shows online, so I’ll let you know when a link is available.

Poster designed by Robert Krums, http://www.cargocollective.com/robertkrums

# art art shows Woman Made Gallery Kaitlin Kostus Claudia Kleefeld painting drawing scultpure Latvia Lithuania Chicago Chicago art Baltic folklore Robert Krums

Posted 1 year ago 1 note
KOSHKA 01 is now available in print!! KOSHKA brings you the best in art, culture, and ideas from an Eastern European perspective.  After months of conducting interviews, designing, sourcing writers and sourcing printing materials (all done while doing my MFA coursework in the Interdisciplinary Book and Paper Arts program at Columbia College Chicago), I’m happy to say that issue 01 is ready for you to get your paws on! In addition to being created by myself and a small group of dedicated friends, the printed publication was “hand printed” on a Heidelberg GTO offset press at Columbia College’s Center for Book and Paper Arts by myself and Kathi Beste.  We also spent two days folding, collating, stapling, and trimming by hand, so this is truly a handmade affair! KOSHKA 01 has two-color cover art by Sanya Glisic, 40 b+w pages, and a 5.5 x 8.5” stature.  It is printed on Mohawk Superfine i-tone white 80lb text (interior) and Mohawk Superfine Softwhite 80lb cover. KOSHKA 01 features: +Monika Bukowska (Brilliant Pebbles) +Rich Szczepanski (Well Slept Film Fest, Silent Scones, the English Softhearts) +Mikelis Bastiks (Asketic, Burtustype.com, plikums.lv) +PetPunk aka Andrius Kirvela and Gediminas Siaulys (graphics and motion) + David Schilter (kuš! Baltic comics journal) + Sanya Glisic (print and illustration) +Tin Can Forest, aka Marek Colek and Pat Shewchuk (Baba Yaga and the Wolf, Pohadky) +A culinary investigation of mamaliga (Romanian polenta) by Sara K. +Reminisces on teaching Russian to Chicago Public School students by Jonathan Sanchez-Leos KOSHKA 01 is only $8.00 USD, post-paid to anywhere in the world! TO PURCHASE: click on the image above to link to PayPal.    View Larger

KOSHKA 01 is now available in print!!

KOSHKA brings you the best in art, culture, and ideas from an Eastern European perspective.  After months of conducting interviews, designing, sourcing writers and sourcing printing materials (all done while doing my MFA coursework in the Interdisciplinary Book and Paper Arts program at Columbia College Chicago), I’m happy to say that issue 01 is ready for you to get your paws on! In addition to being created by myself and a small group of dedicated friends, the printed publication was “hand printed” on a Heidelberg GTO offset press at Columbia College’s Center for Book and Paper Arts by myself and Kathi Beste.  We also spent two days folding, collating, stapling, and trimming by hand, so this is truly a handmade affair!

KOSHKA 01 has two-color cover art by Sanya Glisic, 40 b+w pages, and a 5.5 x 8.5” stature.  It is printed on Mohawk Superfine i-tone white 80lb text (interior) and Mohawk Superfine Softwhite 80lb cover.

KOSHKA 01 features:

+Monika Bukowska (Brilliant Pebbles)

+Rich Szczepanski (Well Slept Film Fest, Silent Scones, the English Softhearts)

+Mikelis Bastiks (Asketic, Burtustype.com, plikums.lv)

+PetPunk aka Andrius Kirvela and Gediminas Siaulys (graphics and motion)

+ David Schilter (kuš! Baltic comics journal)

+ Sanya Glisic (print and illustration)

+Tin Can Forest, aka Marek Colek and Pat Shewchuk (Baba Yaga and the Wolf, Pohadky)

+A culinary investigation of mamaliga (Romanian polenta) by Sara K.

+Reminisces on teaching Russian to Chicago Public School students by Jonathan Sanchez-Leos

KOSHKA 01 is only $8.00 USD, post-paid to anywhere in the world! TO PURCHASE: click on the image above to link to PayPal. 



 

# art artist artist multiples artists books cats chicago culture culture czech republic eastern europe graphic design interviews latvia lithuania magazines offset printing poland printmaking romania russia self-publishing ukraine zines bosnia

Posted 1 year ago 2 notes