Hi! I'm Grace Allison Kerr. But just call me Gracie.
Thanks for visiting my website. I created this website specifically for my volunteer radio program on KHSU public radio, and I wanted to present some art from the two artists in my family. (Eventually I ended up putting some silly things on the website, too.)
I mostly grew up on the North Coast of California in Fort Bragg. My late father, Vernon Kerr, was a fine artist concentrating on seascapes and landscapes in the Laguna Beach and Mendocino areas. My mother resides in Fort Bragg with her cats and birds. My sister Carrie also lives in the Laguna Beach area. I also have a brother, Walter, who lives in Santa Rosa, Calif., and another brother Merritt who lives in Ukiah. My maternal grandmother, Lou, was an incredible person. She was like a mother to me and gave me the encouragement I needed to be creative. My maternal Grandfather, Walter "Red" Cary, was a retired pilot and also an artist, specializing in antique aircraft oil paintings. He lived in Laguna Beach, Calif. until he died in 2005 at age 95.
I live and work in Arcata,
Calif., and have been in Humboldt County since 1987. I went to Humboldt
State University here and graduated in Art in 1990. Previously, I attended
Santa Rosa Jr. College and graduated
in 1986 with an AA in Art and a Certificate in Applied Graphics.
I am a graphic artist and webdesigner for Humboldt State University Office of Extended Education. I previously worked as a designer for 11 years at the North Coast Journal, a free alternative weekly paper covering Humboldt County. And before that, I worked as a typesetter at the sadly defunct Arcata Union newspaper.
With me and my partner Jes, resides a crazy dog, Ginger (half Airedale and whatever jumped over the fence), Rico (a dog of fox terrier-beagle-cattle dog-pitbull?) Raven the black manx cat (with a 2-inch tail that wags like a dog), BillyBob (another black manx with a 5-inch tail), Harley Fisher Springfield (he actually has a full-length tail...he is black and white), and two tropical fish. My animals are my children and they get the best. There is not a day that goes by that I don't appreciate their enthusiasm when I return home. [My cat Oscar passed on at age 14 in 2003 (tabby manx, on top of VW in photo at top), Lillian Colavita Applebee the same year of kitty lymphoma. ]
I collect cacti (sulcorebutia and others) and miscellaneous succulents (sansevieria, pachypodium, haworthia), and grow a number of potted plants inside and out. (Trees, bulbs, a couple of orchids and other flowers) Our garden is a great accomplishment, having come from a completely overgrown neglected area. It is a place of great joy in the spring/summer, when the dahlias are blooming, and things are green and vigorous. In the winter... well, it floods here.
I finally sold my red 1969 Volkswagen Bug named Sparky (photo above). She'd been with me for 20 years. We certainly had our adventures. If you're experienced with old VWs, you know what I 'm talking about! I miss having her...despite the maintenance and the rust...I used to do most of my own maintenance on my vehicles... but now have a 1997 Honda Accord, and I don't know too much about it. Nice lil car, tho. Speeeeedy! Jes has a Ford Ranger 4WD pickup so she can haul heavy stuff and dogs. I still dream about cute little foreign cars.[ I'm waiting for the Mini Clubman!]
I love listening to and playing music, and have performed with the Humboldt State University Marching Lumberjacks since 1987. (E-flat tuba, snare drum, alto sax) I've played tuba, clarinet, percussion and alto sax with the Crab Grass Band for the summer Humboldt Crabs baseball games. I spent three years playing with the Humboldt Bay Brass Band at Humboldt State University. It is an British-styled brass band...that means no woodwinds! Other once-a-year bands I play in include the Humboldt Firkin Tappers and the Royal Kinetic Madness Band. I studied classical piano for 8 years and I goof around with a few other instruments, including guitar, washtub bass and harmonica... with a lack of discipline, but no lack in fun. I've written a couple of songs, too.
I have deejayed my two-hour radio music show on KHSU public radio since 1988. (Your Saving Grace) It airs Saturday evenings from 5 to 7, on 90.5 FM. I play a mix of rock, folk, easy listening, r&b, disco, etc...whatever I'm in the mood for and whatever listeners request! See the playlists for details.
My dream for when I am old and grey... is to never truly get "old." That is, to never stop learning. Perhaps I might explore painting and writing a newspaper column after I've gained some life experience. (I practice on my 'older persona' in costume. See below.) I look to many older women in my life for inspiration (Grandma Lou...I miss you!)
Thank you so much for your interest...
Luv,
Gracie
