2016

March 18, 2016 in Weekend

Midst working on taxes, cleaning out the studio and doing some all around spring cleaning, I have been packing for an upcoming trip to Costa Rica. I'm trying to get all my ducks in a row beforehand. It's feeling so good to know that I will come back to a clean slate.

Eating

Last Friday I made patacones and guacamole for a jiu jitsu potluck. Patacones are friend green plantains. Since a lot of the ladies I train with eat somewhat paleo/clean, I wanted to make something that fit into that way of eating. I love being the cook. You get to sample while you're working.

I loosely used this recipe to make this Niçoise salad. It turned out so good. I ended up kind of mashing up the potatoes. I used sherry wine vinegar since that's what I had and leftover roasted chicken rather than fish.

Listening

Michael Ian Black interviewing Naomi Klein

I listened to The Raincoats on a rainy Sunday. It's one of my favorite records of all time.

Reading

My friend Jackie mentioned this article to me about a frugal man. It's really interesting. I always go back and forth between being frugal and being extravagant. Although my level of extravagance is probably really low-key compared to some people. It's interesting to hear about how this guy lives.

Seeing

I've been walking a ton since we got a dog so I have been noticing things in my neighborhood more than usual. I love the way this apartment dweller decorated their balcony and these tiles are so nice.

Sketching

I told myself I would switch it up and paint something totally different, but ended up painted one of my usual moons.

I drew some ideas for a backyard sauna, something I dream of having someday. I started sketching some when I was in Spain a couple of years ago and have them on my mind again lately.

Weekend 3/11/16

March 11, 2016 in Weekend

It's been a few weeks since a weekend post so I gathered a few weeks here. It's been all dog, taxes, cleaning and sketching around here lately. I'm heading off on a trip at the end of the month so I am trying to get everything in order before we go.

Cleaning

Ahhhh, the studio looks so good again. I tidied it up for a photo shoot for an interview. It was the perfect excuse to clean the place. After a few recent art shows it became disorderly quickly. You'll hear about a creative block I had further on, but I think it happened because my space was messy.

Hiking

We went to Fort Funston for the first time a couple weeks ago. It's basically a dog paradise where they can roam free off leash in bluffs over the sea and down below on the beach. We brought our new dog, Homer, with us and he loved it.

Listening

I listened to this Nick the Tooth podcast with the founder of Shoyoroll. Only jiu jitsu fans will know what I am talking about, but it's great to hear a story of how someone got started in creating something.

Marc Maron's interview with Abbi Jacobson and Iliana Glazer is so good. I think these ladies saved the day when I was getting frustrated by all the male ensemble comedy shows. Men can't have all the fun! Listening helped me uncover this video of a drum off between the ladies while doing Broad City Live. I had no idea, Iliana.

I just discovered this Bay Area art podcast Congratulations Pine Tree. I will let you know how it is soon.

Parking

Having a dog has sent us to the dog park frequently. Because of all this wet weather here in Northern California, the skies have been really beautiful. I love having a dog for many reasons, they have awesome personalities, they are so loving, they make you get exercise throughout the day and when you are training a new dog, you have to be present and pay attention. Getting out of the studio to walk him has been really good for me.

Reading

My friend Suhita Shirodkar was featured in this San Jose Mercury News article. She has been painting signs and relics in San Jose lately. I love her fresh style.

I read this great New Yorker article on Resilience. I think about this topic often. The author mentions you have to experience adversity of some sort in order to know whether you are resilient. I see how different people react to bad situations and I'm often amazed at how some people with the biggest hardships are able to overcome difficult situations and experiences.

This article on How Complaining Can Actually Make You Feel Worse is great. It's short and really worth the read.

Sketching

The nice thing about being someone who likes to draw all kinds of things is I don't get huge creative blocks. Sure, I'm stumped sometimes, but last weekend I couldn't get anything going in my sketchbook for three days. I know it was basically due to me wanting to make something really great and letting perfectionism get in the way.

Lastly, I sketched my cat Stanny last night after she brought a mouse in the house. After we couldn't find it, we put Broad City on the episode had an eerily similar theme. I love when that happens:)

Weekend 2/19/16

February 19, 2016 in Weekend

It's been awhile since I have had a chance to post here. Note, I have decided to change my former What Goes On posts to Weekend since I tend to post these at the end of the week. Slowly but surely, I'll be changing a few more things around here.

I've been spending a lot of time outside since the weather has been so spring-y and warm so I thought I'd share some of the places I've been. These poppies are at Candlestick Point, a spot off the freeway on the way to San Francisco. I love the expansive and uncrowded view of the bay.

I got a dog. His name is Homer. He loves the couch, loves his family, is slightly misguided and loves donuts. He was whiney on the drive up, but once we stepped out of the car at Candlestick Point, he was the happiest dog.

My friend Kelli suggested we have lunch at a place called The Ramp. They allow dogs on their outdoor patio and it is right on the bay. This photo of Kelli is close to the restaurant along a pathway. I definitely want to come back and meet her here again. I knew when I got Homer that I wanted him to go on all the adventures with me, so it has been a priority to find dog-friendly spots.

Speaking of donuts, what was the first thing I ate after doing the Whole30 program/diet/cleanse? Yes, a donut. I couldn't help it. Bryan brought one home for me and I had to eat it. It was really good, especially since we warmed them in the oven. I barely eat junk food so I felt ok about it. Not consuming sugar, bread, alcohol or dairy for a month felt great. We eat pretty healthy in general, but the Whole30 reminded me of how processed our food is. I did the Whole30 last year, but this year felt even better and I know I want to eat this way like 90% of the time.

I bought this book Advice from My 80-Year-Old Self by Susan O'Malley and published by Chronicle Books. It has nuggets of wisdom from humans aged 7 to 88. I loved this one on this day. I feel like I am in this weird between stage in my art and I just can't wait to get the next stage. Still, I know I have to be patient.

I saw the band Sun Foot at Seeing Things Gallery. Fronted by Chris Johanson, one of my favorite artists, they are funny and weird and good. I was honored to have him play with my art in the background (on the left).

My Birthday

The rest of this post covers my birthday. There was just something about the busy last few months that made me want to ensure I had a relaxing birthday this year. Just being around the Half Moon Bay coast gives me immediate serenity. The mesmerizing waves are so rough and wild out that way. It's no wonder Mavericks happens in the area. I have to live by the ocean someday.

I started off with hanging out at Roy's Station all morning with my birthday twin Nancy sketching and chatting. We seem to be making a new tradition with this. Then, I came home to these gorgeous flowers on my porch on my birthday. Aren't they stunning? They sure elevated my good mood to great.

I rarely take pictures of myself, but I had to capture Homer's first trip to Half Moon Bay on such a beautiful day.

Homer loved the beach. He loved chowing on some seaweed, dipping his nose in the sand and running away from the waves.

Caught this ladybug at the beach. I'll take that good luck.

For my birthday dinner, we went to Moss Beach Distillery, where they allow dogs on their patio and apparently a blue clad ghost wanders the premises. You can see the fires, but what you can't see are the cozy blankets they have for you to bundle up in. We brought Homer's bed so he would be comfortable. The food was great and obviously the view too.

I have to say, as much as I love the outdoors it can be hard to get away. With having a dog now, it's been a great excuse to get outside.

Weekend 1/29/16

January 29, 2016 in Weekend

I had not really thought through just how busy I would be around the holidays and now the early part of this year. There was the Screaming Hand 30th Anniversary Show, while continuing to work on commissions and art for my February show at The Arsenal. This month, Seeing Things Gallery also contacted me to see if I wanted to show the last of my 100 Day Project art at their new space. Of course I said yes. Both shows will be opening next Saturday, February 6th.

I'm in the process of changing some things on the blog. I am going to change up some of the categories and the way I use it. I think there will be a lot more studio shots, sketches and work in progress on here. I'm playing around with the title of this weekly post to Weekend since I usually post it on Fridays.

Eating

I've been on the Whole 30 again. This means only eating real food and no commercially processed food. That means no alcohol, croissants, cheese, desserts. I am a little over halfway through. I feel great and I think everyone should try it once. You don't realize how much processed crap is in the things we eat. And I'm not even talking about typical junk food. Crackers, dips, salad dressings, pasta sauces can have long ingredient lists when you read the labels. Soybean this, extra sodium, hidden sugars and unpronounceable ingredients. I do feel a little over-disciplined right now between this cleanse and working on art.

Sketching

Lately, I am just trying to draw and paint as much as I can. I feel like the more I work the easier it is to make work and the happier I am with the results. I am trying to work really loosely and quickly. I am also trying to experiment more stylistically.

I like the process of painting people with a shade of gray first and then adding line detail later. This is something I am working on for my show.

Pets! Some sketches for recent pet commissions

I painted these blue people while at a coffee shop on Martin Luther King Day. It was busier than usual for a Monday so I had plenty of subjects to work from.

SoFA Sketch

A sketch by Genevieve Santos - illustrator extraordinaire. Her style is so unique!

My art from the night. I felt like I was more on a roll than usual.

I had a lot of fun at this month's SoFA Sketch. I didn't end up taking too many pictures, but here are some from the night. I hope to take more pictures and blog separately about it in the future.

Watching

I have been really interested in artist interviews lately. I have been going through weird emotions about my art so it's nice to hear what other's have to say.

I watched this great talk with illustrator Christoph Niemann. It's exactly what I go through as an artist. Hilarious and awesome.

I can't believe how inspiring this interview was with Molly Crabapple. She has strong words to describe what she does and how she feels about art. Here are some highlights from Molly:

"My big wisdom to impart with drawing is that it's better to do the wrong line with confidence and style than it is to do the right line with hesitation and tentativeness."

"I like art because it shows that care was bestowed on something."

"There's always this really boring model for artists which is that you just stay in your studio and you create increasingly exquisite objects for rich people until you die."

The End of the 100 Day Project and Days 91-100

January 22, 2016 in 100 Day Project

Wow! I can't believe I'm finally done with the 100 Day Project! Sure, it was supposed to take place in 100 consecutive days, sure it was supposed to be completed by 2015, but who cares?! Even if it took me 278 days, I made 100 pieces of art based on Brian Eno's deck of cards, Oblique Strategies. I am feeling good today.

Regarding daily art projects, it can be difficult to get work done everyday. Whether other freelance work to do: packing orders, painting orders or being stumped by the card, I found myself not staying super consistent with the project. Perfectionism also got in the way. Still, I was determined.

I really liked straying from my usual materials when I did (embroidery, collage, weaving), but those tended to take more time so I couldn't do that frequently. I actually thought I would push myself more with size and that kind of thing, but with the decision to sell everything for $20 each AND with my other freelance work, there is just only so much time in the day so a lot of these pieces are on the small side.

Some things I have found with what I made:

Blue - I really love using blue. Maybe it's my love of the ocean, the sky...I don't know, but I do like it.
The natural world - I love painting nature. Whether space, water, plants, I love it all.
Humor - I really like a little humor and wit in my art. I actually didn't learn this until 2012 at my solo show at Seeing Things Gallery.
Mystery and Experiments - when I made a sudden decision to add a crazy color or cover something or run the art under faucet water, awesome things happened.
Style - I think my style evolved with the 100 Day Project.
My - The work from this project felt like it was 100% me: from my experience, knowledge, memories and passions.

The Future:

Books - I feel like I am ready to continue working on my book proposals now that I am clear on how I would like to illustrate them
Big - I am looking forward to bigger illustration projects, bigger paintings and installations after working so small
Ideas - The way ideas formed from this project blew my mind. The mental process of getting to something requires a mixture of stepping away to do something completely different and just sitting and plugging away at it until something happens.
Change - I foresee a year of unexpected and magical new things

Please stop by Seeing Things Gallery on February 6th to see the last 20 drawings and any available 100 Day art. All will be for sale for that same fun $20 each price.

And these are the last 10...

Day 91 Accept Advice

I asked Bryan to tell me what to paint and he said, "Paint about how you thought Interstellar would be and then paint how you felt about it after." At first I didn't want to do it, but then I thought it would be a good challenge. I wanted to paint on Color-Aid paper, a material I have used a few times in this project. As you can see, I thought it might be 'garbage in space', but then felt it was more like 'silly confusion in space.' Yes, I used a vintage Spirograph.

Day 92 What would your closest friend do?

My sister would stay at home in her slippers and save money so she can travel the world.

Day 93 Is there something missing?

I have been frustrated with the real estate market for my friends and family. It's insane in the Bay Area right now. It feels like unless one or both heads of household work in tech or you bought years and years ago, good luck getting a house in this area. There are waiting lines and bids for homes in places you wouldn't think would be competitive. It's nuts.

I proposed that the community above has a community garden, basketball court and park. Each home has a full basement, clawfoot tub and porch. Each home would be $1,200 a month with options to buy.

Day 94 Distorting Time

This one is pretty self-explanatory:)

Day 95 Use 'unqualified' people

I asked my non-artist dad and brother to name a color and a country. My dad said blue and my brother said Republic of Congo.

Day 96 Ask people to work against their better judgement

I have been thinking a lot lately about how we all need to push ourselves more and do things we are afraid of. You can stand on a cliff and look at the view or you can dive in.

Day 97 How would you have done it?

I got a terrible flu last week and although I was able to break the fever in 24 hours, I did have a lingering cough and lethargy for days after. On this Sunday, I felt like a blob on a couch all day, watching movies and documentaries.

Day 98 Go to an extreme, move back to a more comfortable place

Of course this was painted on a very wet day in San Jose. A-Frames are something I paint frequently so its symbol of comfort has double meaning here.

Day 99 In total darkness or in a very large room, very quietly

Another one relating to darkness, but in a different way. I painted this portrait in complete darkness on a 15 minute timer. I used one brush. I would dip it into the paint or onto the palette and test it on my fingers to feel if I picked up enough paint. I used my fingers to sort of pinpoint where the shapes were going in relation the edges. Such a fun experiment!

It's funny, throughout this project I did scratch some of the art and start over that day. I would feel like it wasn't good enough. I feel like I would have never shared a painting like this one before since it's so crude. It felt like no big deal when I did.

Day 100 What wouldn't you do?

And the last one! I thought about this one for a little bit. I wanted it to be amazing or the best one or whatever, but as I brainstormed it I just wanted to convey the achievement I felt. At first I thought of painting a trophy, but that wasn't quite right. I then came up with this, which I think works perfectly.