ART PROCESS: ANDY WARHOL PRESERVE PIGMENT COLLECTION

Rocks and pigments on my desk from the Andy Warhol Preserve in Montauk, New York

I’m proudly introducing the five rocks I sourced from the Andy Warhol Preserve in Montauk, NY.

In October 2024 I had the privilege of teaching a handmade watercolor plein air (outdoor) workshop through a grant provided by The Nature Conservancy, and The Andy Warhol Foundation for the Visual Arts ( @nature.ny & @warholfoundation )

With permission from @nature.ny I carefully selected these five rocks at the private preserve. I’m processing them into fine pigment to turn into paint this spring. The paints will be used as the color basis of a new art collection inspired by the coastal landscape of the Andy Warhol Preserve. This work mirrors my process during my upcoming two month artist residency I will be part of @caumsettfoundation later this summer.

The work is labor intensive - I am literally breaking rocks multiple times over. I will need to grind them, sift them, clean them, dry them, and more. Each time the color passes through my hands I connect more and more with it. This work is a privilege and I don’t take it lightly. I’m grateful to the wisdom of all the paint makers, pigment grinders, conservationists, artists, and indigenous practices that led the path for me to step into this alchemy.

The Andy Warhol Preserve, Montauk, New York

ART PROCESS: UPCOMING ART RESIDENCY

Photo Credit: The Caumsett Foundation, image of the art residency barn studio

Hello Art Residency!

One of my goals is to be part of an art residency. I applied to many, but to be honest not only was I never selected but I don’t think the timing was right.

I loved the concept of doing my first one semi-locally, so I can still sleep in my own bed, but have the experience of working on sight somewhere else. Going back to school really changed the way I approach my work. I’m more comfortable working around others, with interruptions, pushing my creative ideas, and experiencing the process of making art in a space other than my home studios.

I applied to ONE this year, and I am thrilled to share I was ACCEPTED into The Caumsett Foundation’s Artist in Residency program for an 8 week period during August and September. I am going to share more with you as it gets closer but some highlights are:

• I will work at Caumsett park, with open studio hours that you will be able to come visit me and see what I am up to

• I will host a community workshop, painting en plein air (AKA outside!) with my handmade watercolors, similar to this one

• I will create a collection of work focused on the theme Caumsett in Color: A Study of Earth and Texture

• A group exhibition with the participating artists the beginning of November

Photo Credit: The Caumsett Foundation, map of the park

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As the residency gets closer I will share more, and while I am there I encourage you if you’re local to reach out to see how you can experience this alongside me. Thank you to the Caumsett AIR committee for selecting me for this incredible opportunity.

Art Process: Handmade Kelp Paint

This year I am moving back into the experimental process that I deeply love. Working with kelp is something I plan to do all year. The smell of kelp, clove oil (in my paint binder) was a soothing briny scent that brought me back to summertime as a child swimming in the bay.

I’m working with @lazypointfarms using @montaukseaweedco kelp meal to create non-toxic handmade watercolor paint. Since these paints are plant based I’m working through a series of tests to watch their colors shift and fade. Capturing scans of them immediately after they dry will preserve the original colors and soon I can offer fine art prints of the abstract patterns made with this crop.

PAINTING MADE WITH HANDMADE KELP PAINT

CHRISTIE JONES, WORK STATION MAKING KELP PAINT, LONG ISLAND

Behind the scenes to process:

• Grind kelp meal with mortar & pestle

• Sift through to get smaller particles (repeat)

• Add handmade non-toxic watercolor binder

• Mix with palette knife & muller

• Make paintings!

KELP COLLECTION, CHRISTIE JONES 2025

I plan to volunteer later this year with Mastic Beach Conservancy as they harvest kelp. Being connected to the growing process, seeing the kelp harvested, and having the ability to lend my own two hands to be part of this monumental movement in New York kelp is something I look forward to. You can learn more about the aquafarms and opportunities to volunteer here.