The Lemonade Stand
juicy monthly newsletter
Dec 2024
Hi everyone and Happy New Year!
December flew by—I hope you’ve enjoyed the whirlwind that always comes with this season…
Updates
Applications for the Hot Toddy call for art are open!
Calling all artists! Let’s brighten up the darkest days of the season with a vibrant, multidisciplinary show celebrating all things winter.
What keeps you warm during the longest nights? Hot tea? Cozy blankets? Nature? Friends? Lovers? Running through the woods? Or maybe you embrace the cold—subzero ice baths, anyone? Share work that captures the light and energy of winter. You get the idea!”
Our opening night is February 15th at East Manning Projects in Providence, with musical performances from 7–9 PM. The evening will feature a concert, hot toddies, and other warm, wintry beverages.
Studio Projects
For my contribution to the Hot Toddy show, I’ve decided to focus on sculpture while continuing to work on commissioned paintings. I’ve been curious for a while about how to recycle the waste I generate in the studio. This interest first took shape back in 2015 as my No Paint Left Behind series—abstract paintings made from the leftover palettes of each session.
Now that I’m working in oils, I use a lot of paper towels and surgical gloves, which led me to experiment with a new approach: trash lemons. These sculptures are made from layers of dried paint, gloves, paper towels, and empty paint tubes, bound together with homemade glues, papier-mâché, and chicken wire. In keeping with my “lemon era,” the trash lemons are painted in metallic finishes—gold, chrome, and copper—and displayed atop a literal trash can.
My favorite part of these pieces is how my trash is transformed and gilded—a commentary on modern American capitalism: trash atop a pedestal, recycling suspended in a heap. I’m excited to show this piece alongside a collaborative project with my sweetie Liam. Together, we’re creating the biggest trash lemon yet: a five-foot-tall lemon wedge balanced on a butcher block. Made from scrap pieces from his brother-in-law’s woodshop and my studio trash, this larger-than-life wedge will be displayed next to our stage for the Hot Toddy opening.
Working with the incredibly talented artist and set designer Adriane Moreno, we’re also building a custom stage for the opening night. This stage will remain as an installation throughout the gallery show—a cozy space evoking the embrace of nature while showcasing the incredible work from this group exhibition.
Reflections
The lemon continues to reveal itself as one of the most universal metaphors for these times. How do we turn our lemons into lemonade? By centering this subject in my work, I’ve found a way to ground myself in something tangible while reflecting on the complexities of the world around us. One of the most delightful outcomes of my lemon focus has been the way this community shares lemon-inspired moments with me. From photos of lemon groves in Europe to recipes and funny memes, it’s heartwarming to see how my spotlight on this sour little fruit has resonated and brought a bit of brightness to everyone’s lives in their own unique way. 😊
Commissions
As always, if you’d like to have your very own painting or collaborate on a one-of-a-kind project for your home, reach out and let’s make something incredible together!
Thanks for reading, and I hope to see you at the Hot Toddy on February 15th!
All my lemony love,
Eva
Oct/Nov 2024
Hi Everyone,
Coming to you with a double issue this month. October was packed with travel and most of November has been spent immersed in commissions.
The theme of the Lemonade Stand has been on my mind a lot—a reminder that every day we can choose to make a little lemonade from life’s lemons. And this fall has been full of lemons... If you’re looking for ways to sweeten your season, here are a few ideas:
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Recipes
Here’s one of my favorite fall warm-ups:
Eva’s Hot Toddy
Your favorite mug
One cinnamon stick
A generous lemon wedge
A pour of whiskey (trust your instincts)
A heaping spoonful of honey (bonus points if it’s local!)
Add everything to your mug and top it off with hot, almost boiling water. Find a porch, a bonfire, or your best friend, and savor the moment.
If toddies aren’t your thing, here’s my go-to treat:
Aran Goyoaga’s Glazed Lemon, Yogurt and Olive Oil Pound Cake
Together, we can all make a little sweetness.
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Holiday Updates
Commissions: My holiday commission slots are open until December 3, and spots are filling up fast. Email me with your gift ideas—I’d love to help bring them to life.
Available paintings: I still have some ready-to-ship pieces that would make thoughtful gifts. Available works here! Feel free to reach out if one catches your eye.
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In the Studio
Big commissions: I’ve been busy creating custom pieces—thank you to everyone who’s reached out!
New still life: Some fresh and some rotting, my new still lifes are looking at my experiment of rotting lemons in jars next to fresh whole lems.
Songs in progress: Together with my band VVIFE, we’re writing new material and prepping to record studio demos.
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Future Events
The Hot Toddy Event— February 15, East Manning Projects
The official wintertime Lemonade Stand. A cozy, multidisciplinary concert and art show co-hosted with East Manning Projects—is in the works! Keep an eye on December’s newsletter for all the details.
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Wishing you warmth and creativity as the holidays approach.
All my lemony love,
Eva
Sept 2024
Hi Everyone!
How was your September?
I’m still soaking in all the excitement from summer while digging deep into studio prep for the colder months. Fall brings commission season into full swing, so if you’re thinking about a custom painting or drawing for the holidays, now’s the time to reach out—space is limited!
I’ve been in the studio diving back into my still life practice with lemons and learning more about their history. Did you know our modern lemon is a hybrid of a citron and a sour orange? There are over 30 species, and likely many more unclassified hybrids. A lemon discovery world tour might need to happen soon…
On the music side, I’ve started recording demos for the songs I wrote and performed at the Lemonade Stand. Sharing these feels surreal. I’ve always been a visual artist, and my music was just for my apartment and my ears. Stepping into this other form of creation is a holistic artistic experiment that’s just getting started!
If you want to see pics from the awesome day, head over to www.pvdlemonadestand.com for all the goods! We’re already planning our winter Hot Toddy- stay tuned for more deets on that in the coming months!
I hope more people can take a deep breath and do the thing, whatever it is. The world is always better for having your mark—whether it’s clean, messy, pitchy, or perfect.
All my lemony love,
Eva
August 2024
Everyone, Happy End of August!
The nights are cooling down, and I’ve proudly survived the summer without an AC—just in case you were wondering how stubborn I still am!
- The exciting news- I’m absolutely thrilled to announce the upcoming, The Lemonade Stand—this Saturday, Aug 24 4-8pm—a free concert right in the heart of Providence! There is an open mic from 4-5 and performances by Stace Brandt, Surnames, Vessna Scheff and yours truly from 5-8!
Check out www.pvdlemonadestand.com for more info!
Putting this gathering together has been a delightful whirlwind of collaboration; a dream come true to pull together artists I admire to bring this concert to life. It has even inspired me to write new music— whattttt??? achem just going full multidisciplinary artist over here :)
I’m hoping to make this concert series a quarterly celebration of the seasons and local creativity. If you know of any venues that would be perfect for a cozy Hot Toddy this winter, let me know!
Fall has me excited to get back into the studio. I have a few big commissions lined up—one for a public collection in Providence and another for a private collector. If you’re interested in commissioning a piece, don’t hesitate to reach out! I love collaborating to create unique works that reflect my painting journey and include special touches just for you and your family.
That said, the next round of juicy-lemony-oystery-handsy paintings is brewing and my studio is refreshed after a summer of plein air painting. Maybe this fall I’ll actually clean my brushes more than once—oil painting has turned me into a lazy linseed oil lover!
If you missed the opening of Naked with Friends—the art show from my figure drawing club—don’t worry! We’re having a closing party on Thursday, August 29th from 7-9 pm. The install is gorgeous, and many pieces are still available, all under $200. These works are by incredibly talented artists who are sure to be Michelangelo-famous in our lifetimes—so collect now!
Okay, that’s all for now—lots to prep before a weekend of singing with friends! Thanks as always for your support and curiosity as I continue this full-time artist’s journey!
All my lemony love,
Eva
July 2024
Hi Everyone,
I'm thrilled to send out the second Lemon Drop! How is it already mid-July?!
This hot hot summer heat has inspired (forced) me to paint outside. I've taken a break from my lemony still lifes to practice capturing my lovely RI coast. Painting "en plein air" in oils is a wild experience—the paint stays wet, making each session an alla prima (wet-on-wet) adventure. I love the loose strokes and the challenge of shifting light. It's efficient too—everything I need fits in a little box that I can take to my ever changing outdoor “studio.”
Big August News!
Last summer, after moving to Providence, I struggled to find a regular figure drawing club. Thankfully, when I mentioned this to some friends, they jumped at the opportunity to pose, and thus, the PVD Figure Drawing Club was born. We are now a bi-weekly, three-hour drawing session with a committed group of artists. Sometimes friends try their hand at nude modeling; other times, we rotate through different people posing clothed. Each session results in a deeply connected group of focused artists tapping into a shared presence. I LOVE IT. Seeing how different eyes interpret the same subject highlights the importance of community and sharing our views.
I'm excited to announce that our figure drawing club is having a group show for August! Join us for the opening on August 3, 5-8 PM at AS220 Mercantile Building, 131 Washington St. The show will feature our sketchbooks, long poses, short poses, and the joy of being Naked With Friends!
Other Big August News!!
I'm hosting an end-of-summer concert in District Park, PVD! What started as a backyard mini-concert idea has turned into a free park concert with four bands and an open mic for the community! The concert, aptly named Lemonade Stand, will feature Stace Brandt, Surnames, Vessna Scheff, and... drumroll... I'll open with a little acoustic set! Talk about conquering fears! I'm so excited to bring amazing musicians to my new home. Check out www.pvdlemonadestand.com for more info!
June 2024
Hi Everyone and welcome to my very first lemon drop!
This June has already been full of lovely happenings, starting off with a group show called “Touch & Taste.” The incredible artist, Caitlin Ahern, came to me with the idea of an opening focused on our mutual love of citrus and oysters. Together we filled her studio, on the coast of Nahant, MA, with our favorite people, delicious seafood, and the paintings we’d both been working on throughout the spring. It was an absolute hit. I nearly sold out all of my paintings! If you are interested in available pieces please reach out to me here!
This June marks my second year as a full-time artist! I continue to pinch myself that this is my life now. I wouldn’t be able to work on my art full-time without my dedicated family and friends who have truly supported me along the way, and who are likely the main audience for this first newsletter. Thank you thank you thank you to everyone who has supported me by sharing my work, becoming a collector, and encouraging me to keep going into the uncertainty of the art world. I wouldn’t be here without each and every one of you.
Many people have asked over the last year: WHY LEMONS?! Let me set the scene…
January 2023- During a backcountry skiing trip and in the long slide of our skinned up skis* across a field of snow and ice, my dear friend Justine and I were talking about what we’d eat after the trip. It was a balmy 5°F in the Utah ice box. For anyone who has ever gone camping, a primo activity is letting your mind wander and drool over what food you want to have after the joyful suffering of nature. Back at my friend’s house, was a little lemon tree with one perfect dangling lemon ready to be squeezed. Would we make lemon squares? Curd? Gin fizzes? Hours of lemony dreams in an icy crunchy rhythm of our skins walking up the hill to camp proceeded. Fast forward to a -10°F night camping on the snow, skiing a bit in the morning, and heading back to the car cheeks frostbitten and bellies empty, we both started to have a little sniffle. The sniffle turned into a drip then a faucet that wouldn’t turn off. By the following day, the whole house was sick. My friend’s kiddos, the dogs, and all the adults in the house were napping snot-soaked and out of commission. Focus shifted to tea and soup, neither of which held the glory of our praised lemon. A week went by like this and then it was time for me to continue my trip. The lone lemon never touched...
This is where my obsession began. First a silly joke to think of how our baking plans were laughed at by the RSV gods, and then a deeper curiosity about this little citron. I like that lemons are a staple in many basic parts of life- a spritz, a slice, a scent, each easily taken for granted after the quick moment of recognition. Lemons are small and bright and historically significant. They can be found in every cuisine. They have the ability to brighten other flavors while maintaining their uniqueness. Lemon yellow is the highlight on a palette of colors and will sneakily catch your eye first- did you know that? Prior to this adventure, yellow was one of my least favorite colors, and now I can’t think of a time I didn’t have some on me somewhere.
I’m excited for this monthly check in and a space to talk about the interconnectedness of my call to the wild that pours out in paint.
I am working on creating a patreon; if you’re looking for ways to support in the meanwhile please consider sharing my art! I am also always in need of models or new reference photos; send a pic of your take on the lemon squeeze to evaokrentstudios@gmail.com.
All my lemony love,
Eva
*For my non skiing friends - backcountry skiing involves putting “skins” on the bottom of the ski for uphill travel, also called “skinning.”
