Weekend 12/9/16

Making

The 2017 Escape Calendar is here! Each month, let a dreamy image take you someplace else. You can order yours here.

Listening

• I just discovered a radio show from Berlin called Vantage Point. I listened to the interview with amazing artist Andrea Wan. Her creativity and technique is astounding.
• I also listened to the episode with Jonathan Levine, of the Jonathan Levine Gallery in New York. He shows work by some of my favorite artists like Jim House, Souther Salazar and Seonna Hong so I had to give it a listen. It was really interesting to learn how he finds his artists.

Meeting

The internet can be a pretty incredible thing. Seattle artist Betty Merken found me online and wanted to meet up while she was in San Francisco this past week to talk about the art residency I did in Spain a couple years ago (she's going next year). What an amazing artist who has led a life traveling and creating. She and her husband published a book on Los Angeles murals in the 80's, she has work in collections at the De Young and the Legion of Honor and a show up at Nancy Toomey in SF right now. So nice to meet her and her husband Stefan! 

Reading

• I recently bought the Ladies Drawing Night book. I was excited to hear about this since I run a drawing night, Sofa Sketch. It has great ideas for hosting communal sketch nights.
• My good friend David Ma wrote this beautiful homage to the recently passed singer Sharon Jones. He has been doing all kinds of writing lately for publications including Rolling Stone, Pitchfork and The Guardian. He also runs the great Nerdtorious Blog, a resource for music nerds.
• With racial tension in America, the election and the situation at Standing Rock, I feel I have been stirred up politically. I used to be more political when I was younger but in the last five years or so, I have been lazy. The one positive thing to come from all this is seeing a lot of people wake up. Artistically, I feel I have more to say than I have been. This article by Symone D. Sanders, Using Our Authentic Voices, from Lena Dunham's Lenny Letter really spoke to me. We can't be lazy and we can't suffer in silence. Be bold.

Seeing

• When Cherri Lakey of Anno Domini posted about the William Kentridge show at San Jose State University, I had to run over and see it. He was one of my favorite artists when I was in art school with his inventive charcoal drawings and animations. This show is the only West Coast viewing for this body of his work and SJSU is lucky to have it.

Thinking

The only thing keeping me sane lately is my work. I have been swamped with holiday work between commissions, orders, the new calendar, a couple workshops and all. I have been angry about our president-elect and the horrific Ghost Ship fire in Oakland. Sometimes the world is too much, but it can be made better by supporting local artists, continuing to make work and helping those in need. Please consider making a donation at the link above.

Weekend 11/18/16

First off, hello there...it's been awhile.

I know I have been neglecting the weekly blog for months, but this week I am bringing it back. It's been a busy year and I just didn't have time for it. That's how it goes sometimes. I feel like I hit the ground running after my early October wedding with various projects. It feels good to be busy.  

Cat Watercolor Workshop

On Wednesday, I led another cat watercolor workshop at The Dancing Cat, a cat rescue space, in San Jose. They call it "San Jose's first creative space for people and cats." I really love teaching at this spot. It's 7 blocks from my house, the owner is great and so far, the classes sell out before I can promote them. She finds the best students, some with experience, some without, but they all are really open, motivated and have a really good time. I really like to encourage freeing yourself up, allowing yourself to have fun, experiment and embrace your own natural style. These workshops have been getting me motivated to teach more workshops in the future. Sharing my knowledge with new people reinforces my love for what I do. I have wanted to expand my offerings for workshops after the Content Magazine event over the summer and these recent cat workshops, so you should be seeing more in 2017.

I'll be teaching a pre-teen/teen class at The Dancing Cat for ages 10-14 (there's still room if you know anyone!) on December 10th and possibly another adult one in January.

Listening

A friend recently posted this episode of Malcolm Gladwell's podcast. She was right, it's fascinating. The title, Hallelujah, references the iconic song by recently departed Leonard Cohen. If you don't know Leonard's music, check it out. It's seriously beautiful. 

I heard a Radiolab podcast, From Tree to Shining Tree, a few months back on the community among trees. It's an unbelievably magical episode. I won't say much, but if you want to have your mind blown on the interconnectivity of trees, you must listen. I also just found out there is a TED Talk on the subject as well. 

Reading

Artist Alicia Dornadic curated an art show over the summer at Alite Outpost called Not a Lemon. She put together this beautiful catalog of the show and it's available on Blurb for $11. I can't wait to get mine!

Reflecting

After taking a little unplanned break from art last week, I made this combination of paintings. The top room is of Leonard Cohen's living room and the bottom is Trump's living room. I was watching a Leonard Cohen documentary and the narrator said:

“Leonard’s house is sparse, without decoration. The walls are pale gray with white trim...The furniture is is minimal...He has everything he needs and nothing that he doesn’t need.””

— from Adrienne Clarkson documentary "Leonard"

In thinking about how Donald Trump got a lot of support from the blue-collar or working class, it's pretty ironic that his three-story penthouse home is $100 million and filled with marble, 24 kt gold and chandeliers. My unplanned break from art last week was due to a combination of working on a grant application, reflecting on the election and what I am doing with my art. Sometimes I get so disenchanted with art in its modern context. It feels like it's all about conveying perfection on Instagram, everything looking homogenous and branded. I still have my rebellious side and I see it coming out more lately. It's so important to voice your opinion and be yourself.

Seeing

Last night I saw the great Anthony Bourdain in San Jose. I have been a huge fan for a decade now so it was pretty amazing to see him in person. I love how he is both a food elitist and calls out food snobbery. I can't wait to get his new cookbook too.

Sketching

I painted this sketchbook cover for a friend's birthday. It says "sueña en grande" or "dream big." I used BFK Rives paper to wrap the sketchbook cover, using a technique I learned in a book making course in art school. The painting is of Kasha-Katuwe Tent Rocks National Monument in New Mexico, a place we hiked while on a road trip together a few years ago.

I painted this little window, thinking of that super moon everyone was talking about, thinking of a light at the end of the tunnel, that kind of thing. 

Walking

I think having a dog is key to working freelance or from home. They get you of the house and out of your head. You also get to go to dog parks like the one pictured above. Hart's Dog Park is a new spot in Downtown San Jose and one of our best artists, Roan Victor, painted this stunning mural at it.

Weekend 8/5/2016

Exhibiting

I'm finishing up work for a show that opens next week called Pairs. It's a group show that features artist couples at Empire Seven Studios. I can't wait to see what everyone puts together for this show. It opens next Friday, August 12 6-10pm. 

A recent painting of mine, Ascension, will be on display at Anne & Mark's Art Party since Empire Seven Studios will be curating a massive area of space within the event and my piece will be in that area. I really look forward to checking it out this year. I remember when they used to host at their lovely house. I love that it has grown so much. They are some of the best supporters of art in the area so be sure to check it out. The gala opening is September 24 and events run through October 1st. 

Sketching

Tara working on her motorcycle camping painting

Last week's SoFA Sketch was great. It was a hot night and we all just chose to paint whatever we wanted. Tara chose this motorcycle. She nailed it with all the camp gear on the back. The next one will be Wednesday August 24th.

And my sketch from the night. I had to finish it the next day. I'm always working toward simplifying and including only what is necessary. 

This is a sketch for a new painting for a show. I often like to move between reality and imaginary places of escape, solitude or strangeness. I am doing a lot of playing around in the studio this last week. I am not posting everything I make. I think that can defeat the purpose of making. I've been feeling fatigued by social media, both consuming it and just being bored of it in general. It can be so overly presented so I am having fun with posting whatever suits me or not posting at all. 

Swinging

There's a really neat thing happening in San Jose right now. There's a giant white swing set in Cesar Chavez Park that plays music as you swing. There are four different colored swings each representing a guitar, harp, vibraphone or piano. The more in synch you swing, the more complex the music gets. It's super cool and up until October 2. 

Watching

I just finished watching Stranger Things. When you grew up loving John Carpenter, Italian horror, E.T.. when you saw Poltergeist when you were 5 (thanks dad), Spielberg in general, read Firestarter as a teenager, watched Star Wars, Stand By Me, D.A.R.Y.L, Flight of the Navigator or Goonies. All those movies where kids get into paranormal or imaginative mischief. If you liked Echo and the Bunnymen, Joy Division, the Clash, Television, this show brings to mind all those nostalgic memories from that time. The show captures a lot of the feelings of my youth and nails the era. Ah, the era before selfies :)

This week I watched Tacos and Punk: Discussing What Women of Color Face in the Local Scene. It gives some great insight on being a woman of color in the punk scene. I continue to find music and visual arts dominated by the same demographic. The same goes for the handmade world, bloggers, etc. It's hard to believe that not much has changed, but videos like these prove that maybe they are.

Chef's Table. I said it once and I'll say it again, Chef's Table blows my mind. It is such a great show about people who have found their purpose in life as it relates to food. These chefs often travel the world and lead carefree lives, while now running some of the best restaurants in the world. It's an absolutely stunning show. A ceramicist friend in San Jose, Rosella of RossLab, had her gorgeous bowls featured in the show (pictured above) and in the opening credits of each episode of this season. I really want to get a set myself. You can purchase them here. 

Weekend 5/27/16

Art

I'm really excited to see this show. It's been awhile since I've been to an art show with such a strong political statement and this one looks right up my alley. It satirizes capitalism and consumerism in ink. The show opens tonight at Seeing Things Gallery. 

Eating

When I'm not making art I love playing chef. This salad consists of arugula with lots of lemon, cherry tomatoes, garbanzo beans, canned salmon (with 1/2 an avocado as mayo, champagne vinegar, dill, salt and pepper) and topped with sunflower seeds, fresh parsley, Parmesan and a soft boiled egg. It was insanely good. And of course, olives and cheese.

Growing

Look at this crazy plant. I have had this one for awhile now, but it wasn't until I put it in the ground that it started growing so huge and bloomed this yellow "flower". My garden is blooming all over the place these last couple months.

Listening

This week I listened to the #Girlboss podcast with Miki Agrawal. Damn. This woman is inspiring. If you aren't familiar with #Girlboss, it was a book and is now a movement created by Sophia Amoruso. I think Sophia is a pretty amazing person. Her story starts with being a rebellious young woman (ahem, sounds familiar) who sells vintage clothes on Ebay and moves on to start a fashion empire with Nasty Gal clothing (this is sort of the edited version). You should read the book. Miki Agrawal's interview displays a woman who is unstoppable. Her ideas and passions drive her and she just makes things happen. Also, her desire for social change for women gave me goosebumps. There is some banter in the beginning that you could skip if you just want to go straight to the interview. I guarantee you'll love it. Makes me want to do more with my life.

It isn't for everyone, but I love the Poundcast podcast. It's super funny, like feeling like a teenager again funny. Recent episodes were recorded in a car while on the road and around the campfire. It was really cool to hear them have a conversation with the sound of bugs in the background. The one with Rock and Roll Gary is hilarious. He tells his old band stories around the campfire.

Seeing

I caught this glimpse of my cat on the fence behind the bamboo screen:)

Sketching

This week's SoFA Sketch was so much fun! We were really feeding off each other and plan to meet down in Monterey this summer to sketch. It feels good to help build the local art community. After being on hiatus for 3 months, I am so glad to have SoFA Sketch back. 

Sketching always consists of a combo of me trying to push myself and then drawing my usual old things. Adding the yellow lines behind the plant as well as the dramatic line of the blue tabletop felt a little more exciting, but I do want to push my sketches more and not be so safe. 

Watching

Created for Amadeus Magazine, this short documentary profiles Jen Stark, an LA-based visual artist known for her complex paper sculptures and color drip aesthetic. In the video, Jen highlights some of her recent work, including her collaboration with Miley Cyrus for the MTV Video Music Awards. direction, shooting & editing \\ Matthew Kaundart producing \\ Alex Khatchadourian & Nicki Wong music \\ "Kill Switch" by White Rainbow amadeusmag.com

This is a really great video on Jen Stark. Her playful and cool personality really shows through. I love the toys she shows in her studio. It really proves that your art inspirations start early and stay with you. Last year I assisted Jen with her mural at Facebook, so I like to keep up with her work.

Happy Memorial Day weekend all! I know I'll be working through the long weekend preparing for the SubZero Festival next weekend. 

Weekend 5/13/2016

Mountains

Experimenting

Blue and gold, ah the colors of the university I graduated from, the colors of the Warriors and the color scheme I am into painting lately. The first painting is a sort of unintentional compass. I knew I wanted to use a variety of shades of blue and add gold. I started with the circle and kept adding freehand lines. The second painting started with a sky and then I decided to add gold mountains. I loved the purplish shadows over the gold. I definitely want to try that again, where the gold is the background of the gouache. 

Airplants

I also painted this little group of airplants. I love how intuitive this week's art making feels. I had this not-so-exciting sketchbook page with a little writing in the corner. I then thought I would paint over it with Payne's Gray and made several other blocks of gray. I sort of thought over what to paint, thinking that white would look good and maybe I could paint several objects. My eyes drifted over to my airplant, which I thought desperately needed to be watered and voila!, I decided to paint a page of airplants. 

Listening

I heard a great interview with Geoff McFetridge on the Occasionally Awesome podcast. I'm often really interested in artists who do design work mixed in with fine art such as Maira Kalman, Nathaniel Russell, Karen Barbour and Geoff McFetridge. I love the idea of making books, illustrating for the NY Times and making original art, all as one career. 

By listening to the Art for Your Ear podcast, I recently discovered the work of Brooks Salzwedel. He does layers of nature so well. Those misty mountains sure are pretty, aren't they?

Reading

I found this article, Why Boredom is Good for Your Creativity.  It's a good reminder that we have so little down time to let our minds wander and that could be hindering creativity. We no longer wait in line bored, but entertained by our phones. I try to not look at my phone in every spare moment. I think it's unhealthy. I think we need to stare off into space and people watch. 

In the last Weekend post, I referred to an article about the changing Bay Area. This week, I read this article, Resisting Erasure in San Jose's Silicon Valley. It's sad to see the changes and see people leave this crowded, expensive valley. I honestly don't think I could live here anymore if my fiancee didn't already own a house (bought when the market was really low). Concerning art and San Jose's reputation, I do think one thing San Jose could do is treat itself seriously and then everyone else will follow. We have so many amazing creative people here. 

Tim Lierman

Seeing

Tim Lierman's show at Seeing Things Gallery. I have to say I think Tim Lierman is one of the best artists you probably haven't heard of. He seems to keep a low-key profile around San Jose, but he is an incredible sign maker, painter and filmmaker. This show of his paintings will be up for the month. 

Watching

I'm pretty much obsessed with documentaries. Especially ones that relate to nature and this planet. This week, I watched Life After Chernobyl. Ever since I saw the first collection of The Vice Guide to Travel I have been interested in this strange place. It amazes me to see the effects of radiation destroying, yet animals are also adapting to the environment. Trees aren't decaying because of how the decomposers have been affected. You should really watch this. 

At the end of the day, I have been watching The Office. I loved the show at the time, but watching it again, it really does have so many good subtle jokes. It's a great way for me to "clock out" and stop thinking about art. 

Until next week...