It has been an interesting last few weeks (months??). Lots of changes and new things happening. Last month, I visited family in Costa Rica, visited new towns and beaches I had not been to and I only sketched once (what you see above while on the bus). I expected to sketch multiple times a day, sharing the work I made. I didn't do that. When I realized that I was not drawing much, I told myself to just absorb my surroundings and work when I get back. On the trip I also got engaged. When I returned, I felt both elated and about my personal life and somewhat unenthusiastic about my art. Prior to leaving, I had this similar dissatisfied feeling with my art. I hoped a vacation would bring on some massive inspiration, but sometimes when you travel your perspective changes so much that you don't know what to do with yourself when you come back. I know as an you need to go through these phases now and again. You should never be 100% satisfied with the work you make, you should always evolve, you shouldn't keep making the same old same old. Still, I can't wait to get through this weird phase.
Puerto Viejo
When I got back, I painted the above painting for a show at the Morris Graves Museum of Art. It was definitely inspired by my trip, so I felt some of the guilt go away for not drawing or painting in Costa Rica. Still, I have not been quite as productive this last month.
The 100 Day Project from last year was really fun and I'm contemplating doing it again this year. Or maybe I shouldn't repeat something I've already done? In the last couple of years my work has been more sketchy, small and using watercolor, ink and gouache. I think I'm ready for, I don't know, important work? Bigger work? Different media? Stronger imagery? I guess this is an incubating period where some of these stewing ideas will start to form into lucid work soon. Hopefully.
Right now I am working out ideas for the San Jose tote bags I am designing, working toward two upcoming group shows at the Scott Ellsworth Gallery in San Francisco and Empire Seven Studios in San Jose and getting ready for the SubZERO Festival in San Jose. After being minimal with art making in the last month I am excited to work toward these projects. The tote bag designs are looking awesome and I hope you all love them when I launch them later this month.
Ok, enough of this and onto the other stuff.
Beaching
How can you not love this face?
We went to the beach in Pacifica a couple weekends ago for a good friend's birthday. It was literally the most perfect weather. About 75 degrees. As you can see, Homer loves the beach. We've had him for about 3 months now and it's amazing to see how much more comfortable he is.
A change of scenery from the last few photos. Last weekend I went to Tahoe with my sister and mom. It magically snowed in the middle of our trip. I had not seen snow fall since, I don't know, my early 20's? It was so, so beautiful.
Building
We put together this fire pit in the yard. I'm soooo into it. It will be perfect to sit out here and pretend I'm camping between camping trips this summer. We are working toward making this backyard feel like paradise, rather than feel like it's on a busy street with neighbors.
Growing
I swear this photo has not been edited. The flowers are that pink.
My cactus finally bloomed this week. The flowers are a pretty psychedelic pink. I think I need to make it my mission to get to the desert in the spring and see miles of this.
Listening
The musician and visual artist John Lurie was on Marc Maron recently. There's a certain group of artists that I just love. John Lurie, Jim Jarmusch, Nick Cave, Tom Waits. Classic cool dudes. A lot of them will act, perform, make art. All around creative people growing up in the same scene.
If you know me, you know I love a good rebel. Listening to this week's Radiolab episode was really inspiring and also a bit frustrating to listen to. The subject was Surya Bonaly the black French figure skater. I vaguely remember her skating and as a kid, did not realize the prejudice she went through in her career. Even if you don't care for figure skating, it's a must-listen.
Reading
While I have been unsubscribing to many newsletters for the sake of my sanity, I continue to subscribe to some awesome ones. One of my favorites is Sights, Sounds, Stories by Shona Sanzgiri. He's not trying to sell me anything, but tells interesting stories and takes great pictures of the places he travels to.
This is a pretty interesting article from the perspective of a former Bay Area resident. I have seen so many changes around here that I can't keep up. Our working class neighborhood has seen many newcomers. Recently, I've even seen a $100,000 Porsche and two Ferrari's at the local coffee shop (on different days). It's surreal. There is so much money in the Bay Area right now. For some. For others, they have to move back home or struggle to pay rent. It's like the Wild West out here.
Seeing
Last Friday I stopped by Seeing Things Gallery for a really great show called Hungry Eyes. It featured the work of Todd Bratrud, Tim Kerr, Russ Pope, Andrew Pommier and Nathaniel Russell. I love the simple directness of these artists, especially Russ Pope and Nathaniel Russell. The first two images are by Russell, the next two by Pope and the Coltrane painting is by Kerr. Keep in mind that all of these are on large pieces of paper so the scale makes a great impact.
Visiting
I brought my friend and her daughter to visit the Jumbo Jibbles studio. Amy Brown, the owner, makes large plush vegetables and fruit amongst other really cool things. To visit her studio is to go inside her awesome brain.
Watching
I've been watching the Viceland channel since it launched. I found one of the shows, State of Undress, to be really good so far. On a side note, the host, Hailey Gates, is going to be in the new Twin Peaks series. The episode in Pakistan gave me a new perspective of the country. I'm looking forward to new episodes.
Have a great weekend:)
