Eric Kaepplinger Artwork

Coming Soon! Big Head and Silver Carp Infiltrate Lake Michigan.

2011-11-20T07:27:00.003-06:00

A Look Back: Built Festival

2011-08-15T11:25:00.023-05:00

Sometime in early July, I came across an event that looked pretty appealing to the adventurer in me. The "Built Festival" was to be a gallery district/city built from giant storage containers in the Wicker Park neighborhood of Chicago. I found out that a few artists that I'm friends with were going to be showing, so I checked out the Built website for more information. There was still time to apply, so I put together a little proposal for my own work and applied. It turns out the organizer, Tristan Hummel, I had met a few times and we were both in the same graduating class from SAIC in '09. Tristan had organized Art on Track (an entire CTA train filled with artist installations) for the last handful of years. I really appreciate Tristan's dexterity for plugging creativity and innovation into a bigger landscape of experience and participation. So, I was very pleased when Tristan got back to me with a thumbs up, I was in.

I surmised that I would use the festival as a test run for a portion of my early Chicago series of work. See how people engage with the history and information of the work that I've been feverishly creating for the last year, I really wanted to open the dialogue for this work and see how people react.

About a week after being accepted to the show, Tristan emailed me with a little twist in the plans for the event. There was no more space available for artists in the shipping containers, they were filled up. I had the option to still participate, but I would need to come up with a plan for an alternative space outside of the containers. Quickly, I came up with an idea. I would rent a Uhaul truck, and hang my work in the cargo area. I would still be in a container and I would also have the opportunity to have my own little gallery, which was perfect. Set up was pretty easy, with the tie down rails along the inside.

I was showing 6 paintings in a 10ft Uhaul with a ceiling clearance of about 6ft. I had informational plaques to go along with each painting giving context to the work, and I had a little step stool leading up to the cargo area. (small miracle that no one got hurt climbing in!)

The violin player had one of my favorite performances of the event, she was with the group Happy Collaborationists. My Uhaul was just to the left of her playing that first night of the show on Friday. It was pretty fantastic to have that overhead. There were several music acts that performed and several other interesting performance art pieces that popped up regularly throughout the show. Those performances coupled with the crate installations made the opening night really something to behold.

Built was to be open again on Saturday the 13th pretty much all day, 11am-10:30pm. Weather reports were hairy and the skies started turning ugly at about 2pm. Soon it started raining and a couple of art refugees took to safety in my Uhaul with me. Along with the rain it started hailing in huge chunks and the roof to my truck was a thunderous riot. Luckily for the artists most work was safe in containers along with the artists themselves. It lasted for maybe a half an hour and finally the storm passed, for the time being. All in all, Saturday, the second and final day of the festival was an up and down roller coaster due to the weather. Music acts had to cancel and attendance was down. There were still interesting highlights such as the Jazz workout video performance with candy cigarettes and crowd participation, which was quite a sight!

There were some big bumps in the road the second day that really effected the overall experience of the show, both uncontrollable and preventable, and I think the organizers are probably well aware of all of the issues. This was the first year of this event and things were being learned on the fly and for the most part worked out splendidly. It probably shifted perspective of what an art festival could be, and opened doors for more exploration into that. I hope that this event can continue for years to come and I have confidence that it will. I thank Tristan for giving me the opportunity to show my work in that setting. Throughout the show, hundreds of people climbed into my Uhaul to look at my work about the adventure and tragedy of early Chicago history that I have been so enthralled with these last few years. People were engaged and curious. I could have spent hours talking to each and every one of them if I could, and they responded in a very encouraging manner. I gained several contacts throughout the show and met several interesting artists and art patrons.

My test run of this early Chicago series of paintings, in my mind, was a shining success and only gives me more confidence to push this work to higher and more lofty levels. My next step is going to be very important and I encourage everyone to tune in and see what happens.

Finally my website!

2011-08-12T08:09:00.000-05:00

www.erickaepplinger.com

2011-07-30T17:00:00.000-05:00

Built Festival

2011-07-30T16:32:00.002-05:00

You need to come check this event out. I'll be showing 5 paintings in a very interesting setting. Get ready for an incredible and creative showcase of Chicago artists innovating the face of the contemporary scene.

www.builtforart.com

New Series of Work

2011-04-30T16:26:00.002-05:00

Beginning with my research into the Fort Dearborn Massacre of 1812, I've delved headfirst into early Chicago history. This is a sneak peak into the current series of paintings I'm working on.

Early Morning (August 15th 1812), Leaving Fort Dearborn. Acrylic and Graphite on Wood Panel. 22 1/2"x 36". 2011

The Captain and Emma Streeter. Acrylic and Graphite on Stretched Canvas. 26"x40". 2011.

Zangara. Acrylic, Watercolor, Ink, Charcoal, and Graphite on Stretched paper. 30"x40". 2011.

Manchton

2010-11-11T17:52:00.003-06:00

Hospital. Copper stripping, Vinyl wall covering samples, Canvas, Notebook paper, Colored pencils, Ink, Acrylic on Stretched Canvas. 18"x23". 2010.

Night Grinder 2. Acrylic, Board, Graphite, and Canvas on Stretched Canvas. 30"x40". 2010.

Wingy. Canvas, Acrylic, Plaster Strips, and Graphite on Masonite Box Frame. 24"x36". 2010.

2010-10-07T22:02:00.002-05:00

"My Chorizo Dreams", "Captain Sabo", and "Non-Perishable""

Recent Commissions

2010-08-20T17:42:00.004-05:00

12 Recipes. Acrylic and Canvas on Stretched Canvas. 30"x40". 2010. Commissioned by April Boden.

Digging Through The Sandbox. Acrylic on Stretched Canvas. 20"x30". 2010. Commissioned by April Boden.

Jan Dodonna. Acrylic, Cardboard, Canvas, Tissue Paper, on Stretched Canvas. 24"x36". 2010. Commissioned by Brett from Blue Frog 22.

AV XPLO

2010-08-15T18:13:00.002-05:00

August 20th, 20 artists and 4 bands

11pm-3:30am, No Cover

Honky Tonk BBQ, 1213 W 18th St. Chicago, IL

I'll be showing 2 paintings, so come on out!

2010-06-28T16:06:00.002-05:00

GIMME GREEN:
COMMERCIALIZATION OF NATURE

Opening Reception:
Sunday, July 11th 1-3pm

A group art show featuring the work of:
Stephanie Dean, Jennifer Fleener, Holly Holmes, Regin Igloria, Eric Kaepplinger,
Megan Leong, Nancy Steinmeyer, Evan Wondolowski

Exhibition runs July 11 - August 30, 2010

Brushwood Gallery

Friends of Ryerson Woods

21850 N. Riverwoods Road

Deerfield, IL 60015

847.968.3343

www.ryersonwoods.org

Gallery Hours:

10-2pm, Tuesday-Friday

1-3pm Sunday, or by appt.

Smile With Your Lively Step, Sharp and Pointy Grass

2010-06-24T22:59:00.000-05:00

If I Sit Here, Snaggle Tooth Hits Again

2010-06-24T22:53:00.002-05:00

2010-04-20T12:23:00.002-05:00

Dust Pan Pilgrim. Yarn, Cardboard Shoe Insert, Stretcher Bars, Gel Transfers, Canvas, Acrylic, and Easter Basket on board. 17 1/2"x 20". 2010

Gel Transfer > "L" Transfer

2010-03-25T16:39:00.004-05:00

Itinerant Spill. Mixed Media on stretched Canvas. 30"x40". 2010.

Red rover, Red rover. Send the second try on over.

2010-03-25T16:36:00.003-05:00

Red Rover, Red Rover. Acrylic, Canvas, Gel transfers, Graphite on stretched Canvas. 30"x40". 2010.

A Foreboding Trip on a Morning Desert Road and American Author Cormac McCarthy

2010-03-08T13:01:00.005-06:00

75 Paces. Acrylic, Graphite, Ink, and Plaster Strips on Stretched Canvas. 16"x20". 2010.

Cormac McCarthy. Acrylic on Canvas Board. 16"x20". 2010.

2010-03-02T18:10:00.002-06:00

Homo Repertor (Inventor Man). Acrylic and Graphite on Stretched Canvas. 20"x40". 2010

Mr. Laramie

2010-02-08T09:51:00.001-06:00

Laramie Decides to take a Rest. Acrylic, Ink, Paper, and Canvas pieces on Canvas. 16"x20". 2010.

Two maps to read while eating a peanut butter sandwich.

2010-02-08T09:39:00.004-06:00

High Atop the Thumb on Prospect Mtn. Acrylic and ink on board. 14"x18". 2010.

Farm on the shore of Little Whisper Lake. Acrylic and Ink on Paper. 15"x20". 2010.

2010-01-16T12:05:00.003-06:00

In the Folds and Under the Crust
Under one rock we found four crawling memories that vanished with amnesia when we noticed the twenty four scrapes in the freshly raked sand. Each scrape contained a list of commands that would behoove the soot covered plastic lantern to stay lit through day and night. Its light so dim, we pondered the integrity of the monster within.
The chains of this place wrinkle in the dawn with the pull taxed upon them, crying for alchemy. I cry with them, but with a smile that melts the tension into handles by which to share the load through the day. Colors are rubbed from the ground and smeared over the moving parts, and we catalogue this. Wings of enormous span unfurl and carry the fortress on the birds back. Never short of impulse, webs stretch and connect, recede, and carry out duties from some timeless idol.
Jaws crack when opening, unhinged, revealing infinite emptiness satiated with bruised atmosphere. Pour black paint down there and rope off the entrance. -E.K.

2010-01-16T11:59:00.002-06:00

Red Rover, Red Rover. Acrylic, Paper Pulp and Canvas on Canvas. 30"x40". 2009

Forest of Concern. Acrylic and Canvas on Canvas. 30"x40". 2009

2009-12-11T14:49:00.001-06:00

Is Your Mineshaft as Golden? Acrylic, Gel Transfers and Canvas on Canvas. 20"x24". 2009

2009-12-10T11:50:00.004-06:00

Left: This Green Thing of Mine. Acrylic, Gel Transfers and Canvas on Paper. 15"x20". 2009

Smug Deal. Acrylic, Watercolor, Cardboard, Gel Transfers on Canvas. 22"x30". 2009

This Tree Needs Leaves. Acrylic and Canvas on Board. 30"x40". 2009

2009-11-02T15:27:00.003-06:00

Dearborn Ghosts
watercolor, charcoal, and acrylic on paper. 15"x36"
2009.

Charlie Wells
watercolor, graphite, and acryic on paper. 18"x22"

2009-10-01T21:42:00.002-05:00

The Ladder. 2009. Acrylic and Mixed Media. 30"x40"

2009-09-11T11:14:00.002-05:00

Four Days Aboard. Acrylic, watercolor, pastel, and graphite on paper mounted to canvas. 30"x40". 2009

2009-09-11T10:34:00.001-05:00

Username 18"x24" Mixed Media

Captain at Bow 36"x38" Acrylic and Graphite

2009-07-27T22:29:00.002-05:00

Wagon No More, 24 2009 Acrylic on canvas mounted on canvas 32"x48"

Impetuous 2009 Acrylic on canvas mounted on canvas 32"x48

Eagle Project 2009 Acrylic on canvas mounted on canvas 24"x32"

2009-05-20T17:37:00.000-05:00

2009-04-30T12:20:00.005-05:00

"BFA Thesis Exhibition" drawings

2009-03-25T11:41:00.000-05:00

2009-03-25T11:38:00.000-05:00

"To Drag Behind a Horse" 82"x80"

2008-11-20T09:42:00.004-06:00

"Red Bull Monster" About 7'x7', Acrylic, Watercolor, and Ink on paper.

2008-11-20T09:38:00.003-06:00

"Bath Mat Conjure" Mixed Media on paper and canvas. This piece was constructed on many sheets of paper and pieces of canvas that are all attached together. Its about 10f. x 7ft

2008-11-20T09:36:00.001-06:00

"True Romance" Acrylic, Ink, Pastel, Colored Pencil on paper. "18x24"

2008-11-20T09:27:00.001-06:00

"The Night Grinder" Its a mixed media painting with acrylic slices. 30"x40"

2008-08-19T17:12:00.004-05:00

"Bonnie and Clyde Empathized" 28"x40" Mixed Media. This piece is a much bigger version of what I was playing with in the previous post. Using acrylic slices to build off of the canvas and allow them to dictate the direction of invention.

2008-08-19T17:07:00.002-05:00

Mixed media on canvas 12"x12." These were two smaller pieces that I had in a show at the Galaxie Gallery in June-July. It was a new process for me in making these, as they are somewhat 3-D. I build off the surface with acrylic slices swirled with paint and use them as a starting point for invention and innovation. They are titled "Michael Kulick" and "My Big Left Hand."

2008-08-19T17:00:00.005-05:00

"Epiglottis Series" Mixed Media on papyrus 30"x47".

2008-08-19T16:58:00.001-05:00

This is a screen print titled "Integrate Migrate." About 20"x35"

2008-05-27T16:02:00.000-05:00

2008-05-27T15:58:00.000-05:00

2008-05-27T13:01:00.000-05:00

2008-05-27T12:53:00.000-05:00

2008-05-27T12:50:00.000-05:00

2008-05-06T19:53:00.001-05:00