What Goes On 7/24/15

in

Admiring

Jeremiah Harada's art show at Chromatic Coffee blew my mind. I have known Jeremiah for some years now and this was my favorite show of his yet. His colors, line and humor are so relatable. Kicking myself for not getting to the opening since the show is 99% sold out. Good job Jeremiah!

 

Camping

I camped in the Armstrong Redwoods with my friend Kelli. So needed and more on this later.

 

Eating

I returned to Yeganeh Bakery and Cafe on Sunday after trying it last Monday. Again, it did not disappoint. I painted our meal of a spinach/ feta/ sausage omelette, eggplant and the Persian plate of cream, honey and jam, all eaten with the sangak bread. We also had the lavender lattes. I really love this place!

 

Following

An image from the Daily Overview

An image from the Daily Overview

On Instagram, I love following Daily Overview. The abstracted images capture the manmade structures and topography of our world. There's something about an overhead perspective that well, changes your perspective.

 

Growing 

First fig!

First fig!

Our first fig is ripe! We split it right after I took this picture. We are good about eating a lot of them and giving some out to friends, but this year we are going to be really diligent about making jam and drying the ones we can't quite eat. If you look away for a couple days, they end up on the ground for the ants (or squirrels or rats or raccoons) so I am determined to get every last one!

 

Listening

Vincent Seritella

Vincent Seritella

Art For Your Ears is one of my favorite podcasts. Danielle Krysa's (The Jealous Curator) interview with Vincent Serritella really resonated with me since the artist is doing a 365 project and giving all the art away. While I think that is awesome, I am not giving away my 100 Day Project, but offering them in batches of 20 for $20 each. This fun price point feels so freeing! It let's go of any ego around pricing, allows people to be a part of this special project and for them to purchase art for a low price. While I don't necessarily condone art always being this cheap, it has been super fun! His work reminds me a little of James Rosenquist, an artist I was influenced by in art school when I painted large oils. Vincent's interview proves time and again, that you can teach yourself just about anything and be whatever you want if you are determined. Good stuff.

 

Watching

I just watched another episode of Chef's Table. This one looked at Ben Shewry, a New Zealand chef with a restaurant called Attica in Australia. I can't tell you much every artist working in every media should watch this. I think it's somewhere around halfway or 3/4 of the way through he talks about being true to yourself and how hard it is for those you love around you. Also, his near death experience made such a beautiful impact on his life. 

Until next week...

100 Day Project: Days 31-40

in

Day 31 Do nothing for as long as possible

With the 4th of July weekend, it seemed perfectly appropriate to get this card. I pictured a girl laying back on a blanket under a tree so I drew just that. I will admit this was my second attempt since I couldn't erase pencil from her face on the previous one. I like how the leaves depict a slight and relaxing breeze in the air. 

Day 32 Would anybody want it?

I loved the way the aloe in the middle turned out, but felt like I rushed the rest. Still someone cool wanted this one, so they get it. 

Day 33 Emphasize the flaws

Her hair is untangled and her brows are unkempt. I actually sewed it with the intention of using the other side, but the back looked less perfect. This was inspired by the Girls Don't Like Spiders podcast episode of That's Deep Bro with Christina Pazsitzky. Women are expected to be so perfect these days and so many are going along with it. 

Day 34 You are an engineer

With this card, I wanted to create a 3D paper object, but the two things I tried failed miserably. I ended up just painting Lick Observatory at Mount Hamilton. I was quite thrilled when Lick Observatory themselves commented on my Instagram photo.

Day 35 Be dirty

This one felt too easy. I was going to draw a bunch of dirty things: martini, movie, socks, etc. and allow the viewer to interpret that. Somehow it felt a little too easy or literal. It was almost like I knew it would be a "successful" piece and thought I should push myself to do something different. I decided to put a lady and a plant in the dirt. It ended up looking like they were in bed together. Do you see that? As if the sky is the pillow and the dirt the blanket or comforter. I purposely wanted the woman to look Tahitian, sort of thinking of Paul Gaugin's paintings.

Day 36 Reverse

I have been dying to make an animation from my art. It's been on the list for well, at least since Instagram implemented video. When I pulled the 'reverse' card, a car immediately came to mind. At first I was going to just draw a car going backwards, but soon thought of animating it. I chose a Ford LTD since we had a wagon when I was a kid (not this one, but a brown one). I also loved the Vacation movies growing up, so wagons are a vehicle occasionally seen in my work. 

Day 37 Faced with a choice do both

I see the influence from Day 34 here, especially the hillside. I also see this becoming a bigger painting on wood panel. There are recurring themes with this project and I am taking note on what I am drawn to. I like how this one turned out because it isn't necessarily literal or obvious to the card. It stands on its own. The exciting thing about this one is that I finally bought some Holbein Acryla Gouache and got to test it out. 

Day 38 Work at a different speed

I thought I'd hurry up a bit and get a few of these done in one day. Speeding up the record player RPM to 45 seemed like a good idea. I used Acryla Gouache again. At first I was going to make a highly detailed background, but decided to go with this once I lay the colors down. I am trying to push myself to do things differently than I normally would. At the same time, I formerly painted record players (about 8-10 years ago) and this felt like I was revisiting a past theme. 

Day 39 Give the game away

Whether isiting art museums, art openings, blogs or art & craft fairs, I am still surprised by how homogenous the artists and supporters are. I want to do something to change this. It's my dream to start a non-profit down the line that supports artists of a variety of ethnicities and race financially. I also want to make sure I'm not afraid for my art to say something. I had some apprehension before posting this one, but ended up receiving great positive feedback. This piece finishes the following conversation:

"Pssst...the art world feels homogenous."

"Still?"

Day 40 Destroy - nothing - the most important thing

his piece means a lot to me. As an artist who relies on multiple streams of income, I do rely on multiples with prints, both digital and hand printed. When I block print, I usually make as many as will sell. For this piece, I decided I would make one and then destroy the block. Last week's What Goes On blog post included a playlist with the song Big White Cloud by John Cale. I am pretty obsessed with that song and wanted to make a big white cloud in this artwork. I used copper printing ink and loved how it looked on its own but felt like it needed something special. I decided to hand paint over the print. When I tried this it looked terrible at first! I wiped away and added paint until I felt satisfied with it like this. I am quite happy with the purple and copper feel. I am actually pretty excited to make a series of these for a future show. 

Alright, getting near the halfway point. So excited about where this project is taking me! Thanks so much for all of your support. I'm blown away by your comments and interest in this project!

What Goes On - A Good Week

in

This week I've been...

Clarifying

A basket recently found on my doorstep delivered from a good friend 

A basket recently found on my doorstep delivered from a good friend 

Wow. Have I had some clarity this week. Petty things don't deserve your time. Keep going. Good friends (old and new) should be cherished. I am amazed by my friends and artistic community. There is a an incredible sense of spirit and support as I have been catching up with my buds lately. Thanks to all of you. I am excited for what's to come.

Doing

Ramona and I. Friends por vida!

Ramona and I. Friends por vida!

I went to the beach with my good friend Ramona who was visiting from Ireland this week. I can't tell you how much I cherish this incredible woman. She is the most open, down-to-earth, funny and fantastic person. She's raised two incredible boys and helps families get back on their feet in Ireland. We worked together at Streetlight Records where we went on champagne lunches, listened to Françoise Hardy and dreamed of visiting Morocco. We had the best time eating at the Crow's Nest, getting our feet wet in the ocean and desserting at Kelly's.

Eating

Ramona at Yeganeh Bakery

Ramona at Yeganeh Bakery

I wanted to take Ramona somewhere special for her last day with me so I found Yeganeh Bakery, a Persian cafe in San Jose. IT IS THE BEST! We had the eggplant dish and the spinach with eggs, along with some Persian cookies. They are the friendliest people with the best food. And those are LAVENDER LATTE's sitting there! Delish. 

Buying

My first test with Holbein Acryla Gouache

My first test with Holbein Acryla Gouache

I finally got myself some Holbein Acryla Gouache paint and tried it out in #37 of the 100 Day Project. I had been in Santa Cruz on Monday and picked paint and a pad of paper up at Palace Arts in Santa Cruz.

Admiring

Dawline with her art at OMCA

Dawline with her art at OMCA

I met artist Dawline-Jane Oni-Eseleh at Friday Nights at the Oakland Museum of California (which, by the way, are so much fun). Whoa, did I love her work! Linocut houses were a big theme, as were linocut moons hanging on the wall in the background. This picture really doesn't do her work justice, since you can't see all the details or close-ups so be sure to check out her website. I was amazed at the breadth of her work. She uses a variety of materials, yet her style and theme is evident throughout. I am often drawn to architecture and the feeling of memory in art, so it makes perfect sense that I would like her work so much. I look forward to attending one of her future openings!

Visiting

A Charles James gown from 1953

A Charles James gown from 1953

I went with a couple of my artist friends, Laura and Kelly, to the High Style exhibit at the Legion of Honor. This was my second visit to the museum in a couple weeks since I bought a membership. I will be sharing a longer blog post on this hopefully next week. 

Moving

I have to say Thursday was a great way to end my 11th week training in jiu jitsu. It was only a little intimidating that I was the only girl in the class of many men (where were my ladies at?!). Although I am a beginner and far behind everyone else, the guys were super supportive and helpful in teaching me new things (while I was getting my butt kicked).

It has been an extremely humbling experience.

Listening

Oscar is digging the analog sounds of Octopus Arms

Oscar is digging the analog sounds of Octopus Arms

My friend Damien put out an awesome compilation called Octopus Arms. There are just so many talented people in San Jose. Click on Marigold Side A or B to give it a listen! 

Sometimes I feel like I need to be discovering more new bands! In the meantime, here are some smooth old favorites on my Your Beautiful Heart Spotify Playlist. You can also listen on YouTube. I was sad to hear the news of Nick Cave's son passing so he's included in this mix. Best for the mellower part of your weekend.

Watching

If you haven't seen John Waters's commencement speech, you really must. I actually watched it a few weeks back and forgot to share it. I know these can be a little heavy handed, but this one is good stuff. Here's a couple snippets of what he has to say:

"'But how can you be so disciplined?' friends always ask when I tell them my job is to get up everyday at 6am Monday through Friday and think up insane stuff. Easy! If I didn't work this hard for myself, I would have to work for somebody else!"

"I'm rich! I don't mean money-wise, I mean that I have figured out how to never be around assholes at any time in my personal and professional life. That's rich. And not being around assholes should be the goal of every single graduate here today."

One of my other favorite parts was about the "youth spies." He's hilarious. 

Until next week... 

What Goes On - This Week's Roundup

in

Painting

I've been painting plants this week and will have these 5 5x5 paintings at the Oakland Museum of California tonight from 5-9pm. I've had the best time testing out new textures and I see this going in a good direction for me. I'm looking forward to creating larger works with similar textures. 

Seeing

A gorgeous photo by Shona Sanzgiri

A gorgeous photo by Shona Sanzgiri

My friend Shona is an amazing photographer. He went to Cuba recently and shot the most jaw-dropping photos. I love the feel of his photograhy. Somehow they are both nostalgic and modern, with a great eye for color and composition. See this Paris Review article for his photos and perspective on the trip. 

Buying

First goofy page of my new sketchbook.

First goofy page of my new sketchbook.

I ordered a Crescent RENDR sketchbook and received it on Wednesday. It's supposed to have "no show thru paper". The notebook is much thinner than I thought it would be since I thought it would be hardbound, so it won't be as easy to sketch when not at a table. It's acid-free and made in the USA, so I was excited to test it out. It gives watercolor a texture, which looks cool, but not always what I am looking for. I look forward to testing Sumi ink and pens on it. 

Eating

I ate at Konjoe Tei. I tried their chilled noodle bowl and it was killer. Actually, I ate this dish twice this week. I am so happy to see SoFA Market and South First Street evolve. 

Listening

This week, I don't have a playlist for you (sorry, I'll be returning to that next week!). Meanwhile, if you didn't hear last week's, you can check it out here. Also, for some reason Devendra Banhart's album Mala has been grabbing me much of this year. 

Visiting

As I mentioned, I'll be at the Oakland Museum of California tonight. Before I get to the museum, I'll be visiting the new second location for Collector Art Shop in Jack London Square. I worked with this gallery shop earlier this year in Berkeley and I just love this place and the owners.  

Next week's What Goes On will be filled with art adventures so be sure to check back then!