Holly Wach at ZZA's

This weekend was Holly Wach's opening at ZZA's.

roar!

It took me a while to figure out what medium she used. The textures was very different to me, almost like a charcoal. After meeting and chatting with the artist she revealed that it was pastels. I'm jealous that she has mastered pastels. I would like to learn how to use pastels properly.

I only captured a couple images but you should really just go and check it out.

It was a lovely turn out and a nice evening chatting with various people. This show, "Hear Me" is up until April 1st. You can check out more of Holly Wach's work here.

roar!

Marlene White studio visit

Marlene is gearing up for her solo show at The Hive in March. She asked me to come by and take a look at some of the work going into the show, I happily accepted.

First I have to say that I'm always impressed by Marlene's color choices. The colors pop off the canvas with bright saturation. I'm relieved someone out there isn't afraid of using colors and can make them work. I'm still totally afraid of bright colors and tend to stick to "bruise" tones as I think many artist do.

The show is a continuation of the "108" body of work and theme. As a viewer you can clearly get the intention of the work and the deeper reflecting messages. I think the use of origami paper as a reference to prayer and self is brilliant.

I don't want to give to much away since the show isn't up yet. I also have my own interpretation of the show and wouldn't want to harbor your view in any way.

I felt honored to be invited to Marlene's studio again.. Not only did I feel special seeing the sneak peek of show but I also love being surrounded by other artists studio space. Something about another artists process is so inspiring, don't you think?

Here is the flyer front for the show.

The opening is March 11th 5-10pm at The Hive in Oakland. 

See you there!

the jump

If you read this blog you are probably wondering the the hell I've been talking about over the last several posts. Well.. "the jump" or "massive change" has been put out there. Now I can actually talk about it instead of sounding all mysterious.

Yesterday I put my resignation in at my job. I've been with the company going on 6 years and I decided to take a huge leap of faith and change my life. - you may be thinking I'm nuts to leave the science industry, the comforts of corporate america and all that tenure and stability. In ways I am.. can't deny that..but after a lot of thought and many failed attempts to further myself in business or new jobs. I decided that I need own my future and will make it happen for me.

I'm open to listening to where the universe wants me to go. I have a plan in place and it's starting now. My goal is to go back to school almost full time while serving table. I know in the past that I had the idea to study physical therapy, in fact I've had so many ideas over the last million years and they were all really great ideas. Sadly, nothing quite pushed me the way I needed, nor held my true interest.

I'm going back to school and taking baby steps toward my goal of obtaining a degree. In fact, my dream goal would be a double major - Business Marketing / Fine Art. I know this is a long and rough road but I'm making it happen.

So please join me in the journey.. it won't be easy, it won't be pretty at times but it's time. Yay!

(it was a long day yesterday.. check this out)
After I gave my resignation yesterday and was driving home from Stanford I got pulled over. I was given a fix-it ticket for expired tags while the officer was leaving,  I noticed my car had died. I asked the officer if he could jump my car.. Cops can't do that.. just in case you're wondering. I called my roadside asst. plan on my car and they told me I didn't have that feature (this is while I'm looking at my membership card that states it's valid until 2012)... ok. I ask a lady who pulled up to park in front of car if she could help.. guess what? she couldn't  because she drives a prius - those cars can't give jumps either. I looked around me and noticed that the car parked behind me was also a prius. GAH!! I'm sure you can imagine how frustrating this all was.
I finally flagged down a guy across the street who saved the day. When everything was running and ready.. I looked at my watch and it read 3:33. Interesting.. this all happened in 3 hours and was 3 things.

I must take this as a good sign overall.. even though it was a bit awkward at the time.

jumping...

crouching down low - arms at my side with tight fists gaining the energy to jump. And when I say jump.. I mean jump high, strong, and far. The kind of jump that changes your life forever.

That jump is happening today.

frank sinatra is haunting me

Yes.. it's true. Have you ever had moments in your life when a particular song comes on and seems to outline exactly everything going on. Frank Sinatra has managed to do that for me in the last several weeks. Don't ask me why or how but it's true.
\
even this picture has that inquisitive look that says: "I know what you're up to - but I know better".

Song that have been popping up:
"That's Life"
"Pick Yourself Up"

Oh Frank.. you really do have a way with words and advice. But it's not just old blue eyes, it's every song that comes on the iPod or Pandora.. filled with encrypted universal messages.

What does this all mean? Well.. let's just say things are on the verge of massive change.

new book on Etsy

I just posted a new book on my Etsy page - Check it out!  Just click on the link to the right to get the full tour.

I have 2 more books that I'll be posting tonight.

live art wednesdays

I will be drawing tomorrow in live art wednesdays 5-8, 827 Washington St. Oakland..

(photo: Mr. Casey)

Come on down and enjoy the live art and drink deals.

old things - new things

I had some extra time this weekend in the studio to figure out the teeny tiny details of making a book from vinyl. I've made these books in the past but never with hinges or cut this nicely. I've recently been dreaming about vinyl and manipulation with blow torches.... then suddenly I had a dream and all that blow torch madness wasn't doing anything... I eventually worked it out in sleepy land and woke up with a fresh view/idea.

I still have some kinks to work out but overall I'm proud of the results.

I also made 3 other books this weekend. I need to find/make the time to do a photo sesh to place them on Etsy.

Modern wood vintage vinyl manipulation.

l.r.r. is back

My lil' red roof is back!! Someone who I won't mention stole the house as a "joke" of sorts and last night it was returned.

Do you see the relieved yet tired expression on my face? That's due to the long sleepless nights of worry and stress wondering where red roof was. Look at how crazy funky my hands look, creepy.

I'm now pondering whether or not to start my red roof blog again. I don't like the fact that facebook currently is the only display place for it. hmm.. lots to think about.

rainy studio days

It's 37 degrees right now.. yes 37 degrees. It rained all last week and all freakin' day yesterday. I did manage to capture a couple great shots this last week, including this one. At times I'm impressed by the iphone camera and other times not so much.

I love when the sky looks like a painting.

Rainy days translates into working even more in the studio. 

I don't know if it's me or what but I usually have to move around after sitting in one place for to long.. Not only was I working on projects but I was cleaning and straightening up the studio. I typically have several projects going on at once. While cleaning I came across an old sketch book. I was surprised to see several sketches that weren't to bad for the past years.

This makes me want to draw hands more often. 

Who was I drawing?

This one is definitely my style.. bloop bloop. Do you see the cute little Valentine's the octopus is holding?

and of course.. my favorite thing in the world to draw.. trees (and telephone poles).

and now I must get back to the studio... please excuse me.

In the studio:

the other night

I watched my nephew Theo and took him out for pizza.

Isn't he a doll.

We spent time coloring and drawing.

Here we are enjoying life. 

Theo added the finishing touches. Lovin' the red pants.

nice shot

driving away from work the other day.

I think I captured the moment.

Bumble & Bee Murals

My friend Marlene just started a business doing murals in your home, yes YOUR home. So if you know anyone looking to have their kids rooms painted or perhaps you'd like skull and crossbones painted in your bathroom.. check out her website:

http://bumbleandbeemurals.com/

Support local art and business in one shot!!

surprising treats in small packages.

my V day started with a lovely surprise from work, in fact everyone at my job got one. I didn't think I would have any other Valentine surprises other than from my mom.

Later in the day the theme continued.

and my waist line was filled with love.

I also had a very special Valentines this year. I know he's a bit young but I couldn't resist spending time with "the doodle". My friends were looking to go out to celebrate and asked if I would be the "Demi" to their little "Ashton". (not sure if it was appropriate to laugh but I did anyway). 

So me and the doodle hung out while my very appreciative friends went out for a romantic V-day dinner.

Below doodle is figuring out that it's a camera and starts to giggle.

and then he giggles so much that he can't hold still.

The doodle was also kind enough to get me roses and chocolates. I don't think I've ever been given roses on Valentines...EVER. I know the roses are from a 1 year old, but I gladly accepted.

Once the doodle was knocked out from all of our V-day fun, I got to spend some quiet time on the couch with the lonely hearts club.

Don't you wish you could do that without feeling like a slob or caring that you were snoring. Yep.. this pup was sawing logs for a while but it was very cute.

I have to say I think this was such a unique and fun way to spend Valentines Day. I usually cringe and hide away somewhere mumbling about commercial holiday and all that crap. But it was nice to allow some friends a well deserved break.

hummingbirds

I was commissioned a while back to make a shadow box with hummingbirds. I ran into the person that commissioned me last week and was reminded that this still needed to be done. It turns out the timing was just right, the shadow box set is a gift to her partner. Valentines Day is tomorrow and the happy couple also went to a hummingbird festival thing dingy on Friday.

I wasn't sure how I was going to pull off the birds for this. At first I thought I would just do collage work and then I figured I should try drawing them.

Not bad eh? This is one of something like 3-5 times I have ever drawn a bird or colored it in.

The colors really don't show up well in the photos but you get the idea.

I was originally going to only do one shadow box but thought it would be better to make two. Two would just flow better and one seemed lonely.

Below I used cork to sturdy them for the shadow box

empty boxes waiting for the birdies.

and... here is the final product. Again, the pictures really don't do it justice. I had another picture with more depth but it would not load properly. So..  you are stuck with this.

I sure hope it goes over well. If not I guess I have some cute hummingbird shadow boxes for my wall.

Today I went to my very first 3D movie ever. I saw Gnomeo and Juliet.. yeah so it's not like I picked that movie. I went with my sister and the kids and I have to say the movie was very entertaining. I've sort of avoided the whole 3D experience but it was fun. It did however take me a while to get over the initial jumpiness of objects coming out of the screen.

I thought the nifty glasses were quite stylish in a nerdy way. Hot in a Roy Orbison kinda sorta way

I came home to a lovely surprise this evening. A little package was waiting for me on my doorstep. My mom sent me a Valentine's package of her pecan brittle. OMG!!! 

I don't know when the last time I had such a yummy homemade treat. I ate a small piece and was immediately  propelled back to my childhood. I used to watch my mom make this, it's not easy to make so you know.

anyway.. it was a good day that was filled with family.

While not at 3D movies or thinking of my youth.. I'm listening to:

boo hoo hoo

my lil' red roof has gone missing..

I hope it comes home.. maybe I'll just make a new one.

be back with ya in one sec.... hold please

free, free, freeeeee

listen to pj's new album for freeeeeeeeee..
http://www.npr.org/2011/02/06/133495228/first-listen-pj-harvey-let-england-shake


because I didn't post it enough on facebook or anything.

it's freeeeee....

Etsy shop now open

See over there? Over on the right of this post. It's something new, something different, it's a link to my new Etsy shop.

Yep, it's official and fancy and you should check it out. I haven't posted much yet but it is a start and just getting it all set up was an accomplishment for me.

I'll update when different things are posted or change.

sunshine, lollipops..

If you live anywhere near the Bay Area you will know exactly why I used that title for this post. Yesterday was stunning and a shock to the system. The temp. reached the low 70's... oh global warming you aren't disappointing. Sorry to you folks being hit with storms and such.

My day started with a lovely pancake breakfast with a friend and then a trip to the farmers market. Look how many people are out and about. It was lovely and I scored some decent produce.. I still think Temescal has a better/nicer market on Sundays.

Anyway, looks like we have another nice day in store for super bowl Sunday.

what a waste

new book - new owner - new news - new year

First I should start this post by saying happy Chinese new year. As mentioned in previous posts, the year of the tiger was challenging, hard, and just down right bleh. I embrace you rabbit, come in for tea and such because I welcome you with open arms and mind.

Below is a new book intended for visual artists and not so much for writing. I used mixed blank paper including medium white drawing paper.

It's the perfect sketch journal size.

 Mr. Obi Kaufmann is the new happy owner of this lovely gem. Here's Obi taking a bite out of it at last night's Live Art Wednesday.

nom nom nom! 

The news I have is that I am booked for a solo show at ZZA's wine bar. My opening will be August 20th, and the show will run till October 1st. I'm a bit nervous since I have another show in October but I also have this strange calm about it all. That's the bunny year working it's magic already.

hop hop hop.. 

how much...

would you pay?

doodley doo

Some recent doodles I've done about town in the last two weeks or so.

my what a long neck you have.

I've been having fun with these tree phone poles since drawing Wednesday. I still feel that I haven't perfected the perfect tree phone pole yet.. the quest continues.

Just another "creepy" dude.. but most people say I shouldn't call them creepy. Who knows.. some people are a bit unnerved by them and others not so much. I did however notice when I draw eyes lately they are always looking away or up and away. I wonder if this means anything psychologically.

unsatisfied girl. I just realized this drawing is a big deal since most girls I draw look like drag queens. love her lips.

Steno pad man.. given away to a friend.

The spelling errors were done on purpose people. Obi said I should do more of the diminishing technology series. So I doodled this and gave it away. I guess I should start keeping some of these.

Many of my doodles are done while visiting with friends at dinner or grabbing a drink out. Coaster art has always been one of my favorite things. It's just so temporary and the fact that you are reusing something that was truly intended to hold your beverage or protect the bar - manipulating it is cool. 

I usually draw on a bunch of coasters while listening to friends and then I put most the drawings back in the pile of coasters. I love the idea that a random person unknowingly will sit down be thrown a coaster and see someones art. One of my friends suggested I start using a specific signature so I'm recognized around town and putting my website on it. So I did... and now it's back in the pile.

Vocal doodles this a.m. provided by: