Kim Chigi

Public Art Piece 2011. Chico,CA

2011-06-04T19:38:00.000-07:00

CN&R News Box Project Side #1

CN&R News Box Project Side #2

Here is a cool thing: I did this sketch a while back & had it put on T-shirt. A few weeks later I ran into this chick at a music event and she had it tattooed on her entire forearm! Kinda crazy.

Earthscapes

2011-05-26T14:41:00.000-07:00

Earthscape 1
Acrylic & Medium on Canvas Board
6.5" x 8.5"
Available

Earthscape 2
Acrylic & Medium on Canvas
10" x 10"
Available

Earthscape 3
Acrylic & Medium on Canvas
10" x 10"
Available

New Earth
Acrylic & Mixed Media on Canvas.
6" x 8"
Sold.

Rad, humorous, (dark/light) & interesting film/video footage of art, music & film..

2011-05-11T03:41:00.000-07:00

THE CREATIVE PROCESS:
PINK FLOYD: Rare footage of the band "creating". I find this very fascinating!

JACKSON POLLOCK/JOHN CAGE:

QUAY BROTHERS: "Street of Crocodiles" (One of my favorites!)

QUAY BROTHERS: "Stille Nacht/Dramolet

A WAKING LIFE:

A Sketch a Day

2011-05-10T22:26:00.000-07:00

I've decided to make an attempt at doing a "Sketch a day".....not sure how this will work out, i.e. if I can actually do one every day but I'm giving it a shot.

Large pastel piece I have been working on for a while....

Wed/Thurs: June 22/23, 2011

Tues: June 21, 2011(Pussy Willow)

Mon: June 20, 2011

Sun: June 19, 2011

Sat: June 18, 2011

Fri: June 17, 2011

Thurs: June 16, 2011

Wed: June 15, 2011

Tues: June 14, 2011

Wed: June 15, 2011(Chamomile)

Wed: June 8, 2011(Chamomile)

Thurs: June 9, 2011(Chamomile)

CN&R (Chico News & Review) Art Box Project 2011.

2011-03-09T15:20:00.000-08:00

It's done!
Here are some of the pics from the CN&R Art Box Project I just designed & painted. The news box will soon be placed in its home somewhere on the streets of Chico, CA. YaY!

Front & Side

Side &Back

Front & Side

Side & Back

Front, Side & Top

CN&R (Chico News & Review) Art Box Project 2011.

2011-02-18T02:06:00.000-08:00

Pssst! Here's a sneak peek of my custom designed CN&R News Stand I am painting. It's still a work in progress but will be out on the streets soon!

New Face for my painting website

2011-02-18T01:54:00.000-08:00

www.ArtbratzStudios.com

Press & Mentions

2011-01-11T19:34:00.000-08:00

Thank-you Upstate Business Journal in California for publishing some of my work in the paper!
*Check out my "Red Dream Birds" painting below.

Categorized | Art, Chico, Community, retail

Upstate Business Journal

ChiVAA: Chico Visual Arts Alliance

Posted on29 November 2010.

By: Dolores Mitchell
While artists labor alone in their studios driven by personal visions, they also need to sell their work and get feedback from viewers. In 100 Best Art Towns in America, John Villani rates Chico among the top ten. How right he is, considering the many local artists who are CSUC and Butte College art faculty and graduates, and the many artists who have moved here attracted by physical beauty of the land and affordable studio spaces. Yet few artists can make a living by selling their art locally, and some even find it hard to buy art supplies. Enter ChiVAA: the two-year-old Chico Visual Arts Alliance is determined to increase the visibility of our artists and expand their patronage base.
ChiVAA is a non-profit umbrella organization that links arts groups and individual artists, giving them a united voice and presence in Chico. Its mission is to foster an environment in which artists and visual arts stakeholders may flourish to the enhancement of our community’s cultural and economic well-being. ChiVAA’s Board of Directors includes Maria Phillips, Jana Lawton, Pat Macias, Darah Votaw and Sue Zarubin. They contribute collective experience gained by working with the Chico Art Center, the Artistry, All Fired Up!, the 1078 Gallery and Avenue 9 Gallery. Recently, Gayle Womack (Chico Air Fest) has added to the mix her well-honed skills as program organizer.
Communicate! Connect! Cooperate! This is ChiVAA’s mantra. Through an excellent communications network, ChiVAA connects art-oriented groups, artists and supporters so that they can gain strength through cooperation. The resulting mix of genuinely exciting programs (a map, a newsletter, a website, a blog, joint marketing opportunities, you name it!) communicates both creative accomplishments and upcoming events.
Some examples: ChiVAA has literally put artists on the map, partly funded by a City of Chico grant with additional help from Tri-Counties Bank. The second edition of the map is now available at B&Bs, hotels, other visitor-oriented locations, as well as at the Chamber of Commerce, which is adding the map to welcome packets sent to Chico newcomers.
ChiVAA’s website, www.chivaa.org provides examples of artists’ works, links to member artists and organizations websites, and an on-line version of the quarterly newsletter that welcomes contributions from members and non-members. A ‘blog’ is about to be launched. An “artist locator” service is being developed. Among many other benefits, a ChiVAA member representative attends art commission meetings to keep the membership informed and articulate artists’ concerns.
As a motivational goal, this year ChiVAA has “dreamed the impossible dream” of putting a piece of original art in every office and home in Chico. But is that dream really so “impossible” when even on a student budget original art cards, handmade necklaces and ceramic cups are affordable, and as gifts make special occasions truly special? In the interests of growing more buyers, ChiVAA encourages artists to participate in seasonal art sales, create ‘mini’ paintings at modest prices, and experiment with “try before you buy” and rental plans. ChiVAA will spread the word to businesses that buying original paintings of Chico Icons such as Bidwell Mansion and the oaks of Bidwell Park as well as abstract and imaginative art by our local artists, is a relatively inexpensive way to beautify their environment and demonstrate support for the local culture as well as to grow the local economy.
To this aim, coming soon to a neighborhood near you…it’s the new 2nd Friday ARTbout Chico! Teaming up with the ER’s Buzz, ChiVAA is coordinating a monthly art event program that rotates between three Chico neighborhoods—Uptown, Downtown, and South of the Post Office (SOPO). From 4-8pm each 2nd Friday, artists will cluster around galleries, restaurants and studios to welcome the public to a free evening of creativity with such features as demonstrations, fashion shows, music, fun for kids, etc. ChiVAA’s Darah Votaw, the point person for this program, explains, “think of the ARTabout as a kind of block party where you can meet old friends, make new ones, be delighted by creative visions and get to know your own neighborhood or someone else’s in greater depth.”
To artists, the word “ARTabout” suggests Australian aboriginal walkabouts that constituted dream journeys of discovery. To the ER’s Jason Corona who is spearheading the ARTabout advertising campaign, it’s good business, and builds on his success with the new Buzz “Dinner and a Show.” To publicize the art event, the Buzz will print the ARTabout page twice—eight days in advance and again the day before the 2nd Friday. The page includes the featured neighborhood, and prints the appropriate map together with a list of participants and a description of what’s happening that month. Ad spaces on the page will allow businesses to publicize their support.
The first ARTabout (November) focuses on the district south of the Post Office (SOPO), the Uptown neighborhood is up in December, and the Downtown neighborhood will help bring in the New Year in January. Of course local artists benefit through these efforts, but so do businesses and the public. An attractive community with imaginative, expressive and beautiful visual art everywhere creates positive impressions of vitality in visitor’s minds and enhances the morale of Chicoans. We’ll keep our eyes on ChiVAA and its activities: we agree with the organizers that original art nourishes our souls, encourages us to be more imaginative in our daily lives, and sets us a cut above other towns.

1) Front panel from 2010 ChiVAA map, designed by Christian Burke (pro bono work contributed by Tri Counties Bank);
2) Kim Chigi, “Red Dream Birds,” oil on canvas. Now showing at Monk’s on 2nd Street.

Painting of the Day

2011-01-05T17:22:00.000-08:00

The Ancient, Oil on Canvas, 48x38 inches, from the Topographic Oceans series by Kim Chigi.

Painting of the Day

2010-12-30T21:20:00.000-08:00

Truth, Oil on Canvas. 38x48 inches from the Topographic Ocean Series by Kim Chigi

How To Grow Your Business With A Blog

2010-12-29T02:07:00.000-08:00

How To Grow Your Business With A Blog

I have been slowly familiarizing myself with my own, relatively new Blog. The main reason I created one was to share art related info, photos of new paintings, artistic commentary, studio demonstrations & have a dialogue with others who maintain similar interests in the arts in an informal setting. More importantly, I also wanted to drive traffic to my official painting website, artbratzstudios.com. After all, it's nice to be able to make a living from the artwork I create; however, it's also important to be able to share information I have learned over time with others. IMO the more creative souls we have on this planet the better our quality of life.

Since I have had the time to think about how I would like to grow as an artist I also see the importance of involving myself more in an artistic community both physically & virtually. Volunteering for Arts Organizations, participating in gallery shows and attending openings is simply not enough. I firmly believe that if I commit myself to something I like to give all I have to give. i.e I need more from my Blog. My content needs to be more 3 dimensional. Expanding the content on my Blog I believe I will also be expanding my own creative world.

My ideal Blog would exist as a place where other artist's could come to experience helpful info they are seeking, check out what I am working on, events I might be working toward or organizing but most importantly, an attraction for artists. I want other artists to be interested in what I am doing. I suppose my ultimate goal would be to be engaging on so many levels that artists feel the need to visit my site. I have attached a link to a cool article about Blogging & Business that might be helpful for those interested in figuring some things out. Enjoy. How To Grow Your Business With A Blog

Painting of the Day

2010-12-17T14:46:00.000-08:00

Pastures of Chance, Oil on Canvas, 48x36 inches from the Topographic Ocean Series by Kim Chigi

Painting of the Day

2010-12-17T14:02:00.000-08:00

Dance of the Dawn, Oil on Canvas, 48x38 inches from the Topographic Ocean series by Kim Chigi.

ART EVENT: "ARTabout" in DOWNTOWN Chico, CA. (Fri. JANUARY 14, 2011).

2010-12-08T18:52:00.000-08:00

**Call to all Artists, Galleries, Arts Organizations, Art Studios, Print Shops, Boutiques, Coffee Houses, Wine Lounges & ALL venues who showcase & support local artists! ChiVAA (Chico Visual Arts Alliance) & The Buzz is organizing a super cool Art Event in DOWNTOWN Chico for January.

If anyone is interested in participating in this awesome event please let me know ASAP.

DEADLINE for Sign-up is Dec. 27th. 2010.**

ChiVAA INVITES YOU TO PARTICIPATE IN THE 2^nd FRIDAY ARTABOUT HAPPENING IN YOUR DOWNTOWN AREA JANUARY 14, 2011.

ChiVAA (Chico Visual Arts Alliance) and “The Buzz” have come together to create a 2^nd Friday ARTabout. The ARTABOUT was formed for artists & art related venues to enhance the art scene in our community. Sections of the city have been divided in order to promote a more compressed and manageable venue for viewing art.

Each section of town will have the opportunity to be the focus of the 2^nd Friday ARTabout 4 times per year and is organized on a rotational basis according to neighborhood. “DOWNTOWN” is our designated section, so all of the artists, studios, galleries & venues that display art will have the opportunity to participate. Your part in this event is easy, fun and a great way to showcase talent & promote potential sales in your neighborhood & venue. All you need to do is submit your participation sheet for ARTabout and open your doors on the 2^nd Friday between 4-8PM.

If you are interested in ARTabout please contact me, Kim Chigi, before Monday December 27, 2010.

Jackson Pollock Biography: worth the read.

2010-11-03T00:43:00.000-07:00

Written by Steven Naifeh & Gregory White Smith.

I am almost done with this book. It is a very fascinating portrayal of the life & career of Jackson Pollock. Weighing in at a staggering 796 pages, it has taken me quite a while to get through because of my schedule this year but it has been worth every page. This bio discusses his childhood (some of it in Chico, CA: where I currently reside), familial influences, the migration back & forth across the United States during the Depression, his education in LA and at the Art Students League in NYC, his artistic influences (good & bad) and his unrelenting desire to be an artist. This book expounds upon his personal relationship with Lee Krasner, his connections with Peggy Guggenheim and Betty Parsons along with his struggles from gallery to gallery during the 40's & 50's. It is captivating in its portrayal of how the Gallery world blossomed during the 50's and how everything seemingly changed in the world of Art along with his place in it.

Pollock: (ART, EXPOsure & the Machine)

2010-11-02T23:42:00.000-07:00

LIFE MAGAZINE 1949.

Pollock:

I love the work of Jackson Pollock. I love everything it stands for. It’s beauty, transcendentalism, skepticism, freedom, experimentation, boldness, primitivism, decadence, & sensationalism. I personally never had an appreciation for Pollock’s work until recently. I use the term "appreciation" loosely, albeit respectively, because after much extensive reading about his history the real man became more apparent to me beyond the artist. As a result I ultimately succumbed to empathy in regards to his legacy. However, in light of his personal history I feel he is still relevant as an artist, innovator, and as a cautionary example for all creative souls who wish to delve into their own inner beauty & demons via creativity.

As a man Pollock was an alcoholic, a pugilist, misogynist and also exhibited a bit of psychosis. Some would say a socially defunct, insecure, and cathartic degenerate. As a painter/artist he was an innovator, an abstract expressionist and perhaps a true surrealist through his use of Automatism. Painting seemed to encompass Pollock’s true voice and gave him the ability to translate to the world how he was transforming himself each moment he created a new piece. Painting was his voice and his soul. I respect him for that tremendously.

Exposure:

Sadly the public, with the help of the media will forever be captivated with the dark & unappealing characteristics of others, especially public figures. The media, in all its forms, has the power to create & destroy the same ideals it creates because that is its purpose. “Here today, gone tomorrow”, “in style”, “in crowd”, “it girl”, “has been”, “over-rated”…whatever. With the help of Greenberg & Life magazine Pollock became a household name & commodity. This scenario is no different today. In fact it has been exacerbated exponentially. We are the commodities. We are bought, sold, created, disposed of, built up, altered, marketed, manufactured, loved, hated, betrayed, easily influenced and all the while hardly paying attention to the problems this can cause. Some would argue this is simply a part of life I disagree. Think for yourself, read the labels, stop the need for immediate gratification and take everything in. The same machine we are forced to become part of in order to thrive eats us up and spits us out without so much as a second glance and ignorance is at the wheel. Edward Bernays knew what he was doing.

Art:

As artists we willingly open ourselves up for everyone to see. It is part of who we are and what we do, and it is impossible to escape. We hesitantly but innocently hand complete strangers a shiny, sharp scalpel to make that ever so institutional “Y” incision into our core. That incision is used to open up a space where others feel free to judge, criticize, love and mock. This is a sacred space for every human. I often wonder how people who seek the help of a therapist would feel if they had a heckler sitting throughout their sessions? There are no secrets, hidden agendas or lies within art. As artists, we live in a world of perpetual mirrors where everyone can see our beautiful & ugly reflections. In a world where many people have no patience, honor, sense of self, compassion or creativity it would be nice to take a pause, for art’s sake…. even if you are bored.

Ross, thanks for taking the time to comment on my last video of Pollock. I am glad to hear you touch on the topic of art & personal exposure. It touched a chord in me and I simply wanted a chance to respond. Pollock is a great catalyst for this type of discussion. It’s true that artists have a tendency to become immersed and sometimes destroyed by their search for creativity. This type of immersion of the self (which is unavoidable) can bring forth aspects of what/who we are to the surface for everyone to see, criticize, enjoy and in many cases, ultimately fear. It is how we grow and sometimes escape our demons.

Oh, Anonymous: I love the fact that you posted your "lack of patience" for the previous video on Pollock. It promptly urged me to respond.

a·non·y·mous adj

1. whose name is not known or not given

2. with the performer’s, maker’s, or creator’s identity withheld

3. lacking individuality or distinctiveness

4. obscuring somebody’s identity, or allowing somebody to go unnoticed

Woody Allen & Pollock

2010-10-30T23:05:00.000-07:00

Jackson Pollock: Featured Artist of the month.

Kim Chigi: The Pheromones of Paint.

2010-10-28T00:15:00.000-07:00

In the past, I had issues painting over & tossing out images that I never completed or just couldn't get them visually quite right. In other words, that feeling of completion, flow and overall stamina of the piece was simply evading me. I know that this is not a problem or issue specific to me so I wanted to write a little something about my way of dealing with the more frustrating aspects of creativity. Perhaps someone out there has a more positive/creative way in which to deal with the abandonment of a thought. If you do, I am all ears.

Don't get me wrong, I am a girl who LOVES a challenge but some things just have to come to an end & if I have to fight with it that much, it's time to let it go. I must say that there are exceptions to this rule....sometimes I have to fight with myself in order to evolve. I have many of those frustrating days in the studio when I feel as if I can't paint a circle, the right line or mix the exact color I need and I take them in stride. Despite the fact that painting requires a lot of physical energy and can lead to difficulty with working my focus here is not the physically challenging days, rather the emotional connection with what's happening between me, the paint and the canvas which inevitably bastardizes what I am attempting to create by my hand. Sometimes I really can't feel it. I can't feel the connection of what's happening with the energy coming from my hand and spilling out onto the canvas. My entire way of working with paint typically depends on the emotional conversation between me and the canvas. Switching points of view here, It's like an intense relationship. You are so attracted to the visual concept of the thought. The physical attraction can be intoxicating, the social intercourse might borderline on brilliant, the smell of the oils that day mixed with the air temperature in the space is just right.....(artistic pheromones). When these senses coalesce...all is right in my world and there is nothing else.

So, these days I feel it's relatively simple. When I don't "feel it"...walk away.

Featured Artist of the Month: Jackson Pollock

2010-10-26T20:37:00.000-07:00

Exhibition Opening/ Reception Date

2010-10-04T14:23:00.000-07:00

Anyone interested in the large scale paintings of artist Kim Chigi or if you miraculously find yourself wandering around the lovely streets of Chico, CA on a Saturday night....here is a little something that might peak your interest!

"TOPOGRAPHIC OCEANS"

**An exhibition of paintings inspired by the music of YES**

October 9-December 31, 2010

Reception October 9, 7-9PM

Monk's Wine Lounge, 128 W 2nd St., Downtown Chico

Deadlines

2010-09-23T01:27:00.000-07:00


Oil on Canvas...still Untitled.

17 more days until the installation of my show. I have gone through various stages of panic all resulting in an effortless, albeit silent, admission to myself that I will complete everything on time. I always make my deadlines because I work better under pressure. Something I have learned about myself is that I can't start the work until I have a solid emotional grip on myself. So far I have completed 6 canvases(the smallest one 36"X48") in the last 2.5 weeks and I need to complete another 3 over the next 5 days. As I am typing my ideal production scenario the reality seems daunting and practically impossible, especially since I have another lame show to attend this weekend in SF. Nevertheless, Oct 9th is coming up fast...it is my brick wall. I love having these deadlines close to the end of every year because it forces me to have the initial stages of a great series of paintings every year. The last 3 years have been the most productive of my life.....my goal is to keep going...and I will.

2nd Street Studios....that's me.

2010-09-01T11:24:00.000-07:00

So, after 20 days the power has finally come on in my new studio space!
I was locked away all day yesterday getting all of my paints in order and setting up for a mass painting extravaganza. I have more than enough work to keep me occupied for the entire year. Unfortunately it has to be completed by Oct 1st! Yikes. I am just getting everything up and running but I will continue to post new images as I get the other room presentable. (right now its stacked to the sky with canvas).
My current project is entitled "Topographic Oceans" .......let's hope I can pull it off.

2nd Street Studios.

It's still a mess but getting there!


How I feel right before I crack open my Oil Paints! Once that Oil smell hits me everything becomes crystal clear.....

"RoadWerks"

2010-09-01T11:09:00.000-07:00

Here are a few pics from some of the Tahoe Shows...just to give you an idea as to the beauty of Northern Cali. I really do love living here. It has been so inspiring to be surrounded by mountains, nature and so many cool and interesting people.


My Booth overlooking Lake Tahoe (August 2010).


What a beautiful view for a show!

Josh and their amazing glasswork!

ART EVENT (Tahoe City, CA) Yes...again.

2010-08-19T23:06:00.000-07:00

I am back in Lake Tahoe for the weekend for another fabulous Art Show!

760 North Lake Blvd, Tahoe City, CA 96145 (for GPS).

Show Hours: 10AM-5PM Fri, Sat & Sun.

Aug. 20, 21& 22

A detail of some new work!

ART EVENT (Tahoe City, CA)

2010-08-09T17:10:00.000-07:00

For all those interested,

I have a show in Lake Tahoe this weekend (Aug 13, 14 & 15).

760 North Lake Blvd, Tahoe City, CA 96145 (for GPS).

Show Hours: 10AM-5PM Fri, Sat & Sun.

Aspen Art Show

2010-08-09T16:35:00.000-07:00

I love the Salt Flats of Utah.

Straight out of the 40's!

Just before the Show.

Aspen Art Fest in full swing!

Rest for tomorrow's showing.

On the road in Colorado

2010-07-17T20:38:00.000-07:00

This week I am in Colorado for the Aspen Arts Festival. I love taking photos along the way to document my trip and to use as photo reference for future projects.

NEW PAINTING

2010-06-29T21:52:00.000-07:00

Miles&Miles

Acrylic on Canvas

24"x30"

I struggled with this piece for quite some time. A few weeks ago I sat down and just went with it. I simply gave into the paint because I couldn't find a direction without it. The imagery/composition seemed to flow right out of the paintbrush...and I LOVE when that happens. It can be a rare event but when I suspect it happening I can feel myself smile.

Thank-you o' great pigment master in the sky.

ART EVENT: the 26th Fillmore Jazz Festival, San Francisco, CA

2010-06-29T21:31:00.000-07:00

26th Annual Fillmore Jazz Festival
Saturday & Sunday, July 3 & 4, 2010, 10am-6pm
Fillmore Street, Jackson to Eddy Streets, San Francisco, CA

This weekend Is the legendary Fillmore Jazz Festival. I am proud to be one of the featured artists this year!

Lots of amazing art, great music, food & beverages!!!

ART EVENT (Danville Fine Arts Faire 2010)

2010-06-15T12:39:00.000-07:00

Danville Fine Arts 2010
June 19 & 20
10am-6pm
Danville, CA

Another weekend means another Art Event.
The summer is proving to be a busy one for me and the traveling has been non-stop This weekend I will be in Danville, CA promoting my work. I will have a full booth featuring my Oil& Acrylic paintings as well as reproductions for sale.Check out the map to the right for directions.
So, if you are in the area please stop by and check out this show as it is supposed to be packed with 200 artists. There will also be Italian Street Painting, entertainment, kids activities, gourmet food, fine wines & microbrews!
See you there!

The Italian Street Painters!

My Booth

Dust Busting the pigment

Burlingame, CA

2010-06-14T21:01:00.000-07:00

Here are some of my booth images from the Burlingame Art Show. I wish I had enough woman power in order to have a double booth. I have so much artwork I want to show and sell but the space is limited. There is so much work involved in these shows regarding set up and breakdown that it is daunting at times but it always seems to pay off. Having the opportunity to show my work and get feedback from people is really encouraging. Clearly, without the people who like my work enough to buy it, it wouldn't be possible to make a living. So, I would like to give you all a big "thank-you" for purchasing my paintings & prints. I have so much more to share so stay tuned as I will be posting and discussing a new project I am working on for an upcoming solo show in Oct. The theme is loosely based on the band Yes and their album entitled, "Topographic Oceans". It should be interesting to see the finished product.

ART EVENT (Art in the Park, Burlingame, CA)

2010-06-12T01:36:00.000-07:00

June 12 & 13, 2010
10am-5pm
I will be exhibiting my paintings & prints this weekend at Art in the Park.
The event will be held at Washington Park in beautiful downtown Burlingame, CA
Between Carolan & Burlingame Avenues ( check out the map on the left of my page for directions.

Live Music & Food too!
I hope that some of you that are in the area can check it out!

Self Portraits & Me

2010-06-03T18:38:00.000-07:00

I just finished a self-portrait a few weeks ago that I started last year. It was just before I cut off my hair so I had to improvise with my locks. Thinking back on the past 2 years I have very little in my studio of this subject matter. I wonder why? It's not that I don't gravitate toward the face...I love painting it. The eyes, the mouth, the architecture itself & how everyone has their own special character imPERFECTIONS. It is such a challenging subject to paint, yet I realize that perhaps I am not looking at myself enough. I am not looking deep enough into what is going on inside of me to see what is being externalized. **Note to self**.... must complete 6 self-portraits by the end of this year regardless of what my schedule demands.

Sugar and Painting

2010-06-03T18:04:00.000-07:00

This is a photo of the Godiva Cupcakes my mom shipped to me from the East coast. Since receiving them via FedEx I have been unable to paint. It's ok because I always need an excuse for a break. I just need to figure out how to stop bouncing off the walls long enough to pick up my paintbrush!

San Francisco

2010-05-19T18:29:00.000-07:00

Although my days of working in San Francisco have become less frequent, I was there last weekend and I usually walk around taking photos in the early AM. On this particular morning the city had a sadness to it that I couldn't resist capturing. The somberness is palpable.

Stopping is not an option.

2010-05-19T16:10:00.000-07:00

There are days that I sit and try to collect my thoughts about what I am doing as an artist. What exactly am I trying to say? Am I articulating my voice properly through my work? Does my work come across as confusing to people? I occasionally think about this because my expressions and incarnations of the world are not highly representational and even though I sometimes use symbols and imagery found in everyday life, they are not necessarily depicted in a clear cut visual manner. In the past, this would confuse & burden me while I was working out a composition. As I progress with my philosophy about painting & art this no longer plagues me. I am learning to let this struggle go and have decided to work with this personal battle because clearly it is something my attention is drawn toward and I am beginning to see that it's all simply a part of the learning process.
My work is how I see the world around me and not necessarily what is actually there. This brings me to another point concerning my work and the world in which we live, is anything we see actually ever there? I like to think that I can intertwine this concept of surrealism and reality because to me, this is what we are living. As rational human beings we are taught to believe we are living amongst the real, the tangible and the logical.
My philosophy walks a fine line between the two. The real and the unreal are uniquely enmeshed with one another in my mind. The pieces I create are my interpretations of those symbols and images, which inspire me, and shape who I am as a person and as an artist. Despite the fact that I am physically manifesting imagery based on my passions and curiosities I believe that even though they begin as my creations and interpretations they can also spark someone's discontent or amusement at the same time. Allowing someone else to look at something I have created in my mind and giving them the opportunity to experience it as something entirely different is what Art should be. Allowing people to expand their minds in order to evolve as a species is key element of Art. I really don't want the viewer to see the exact same thing I do. If I feel they see the exact same thing I sometimes believe the painting was a failure. I believe that a great work of art has multiple dimensions both visually and contextually.....this was just a thought that was running through my head......So I have come to the conclusion that "Stopping is not an option" and creating Art is my reason for being.

Austin

2010-05-11T13:34:00.000-07:00

On the road to Austin, TX.
Spending time alone in the car and driving 3 days to my first big show this year was amazing. Thinking about all of the work I have done to get here and putting my creativity out there is an extremely free feeling. Taking the experience in, photographing the journey and figuring out artistically where to go along the way is an invaluable learning experience. It's as if I have spent a huge block of time working on a series of pieces that close another chapter of my life.

Participating in Art City Austin proved to be amazing exposure. This photo was one of the main entrances to this amazing outdoor show. Museum quality works and top notch show organizers created an outstanding environment for the general public, art collectors, buyers and gallery owners to come and peruse works by many fine artists. Having the chance to participate has given me a sense of direction and also clarified the inner workings of the bigger shows. Before I went I had no idea what to expect and I had no knowledge of how prepared I was or wasn't. I am sincerely grateful for the opportunity to have learned so much in 2 days.

My Booth at Art City Austin!

On the Road

2010-04-18T13:52:00.000-07:00

Creatively speaking, It has been a long 3-4 months. Since Oct. 2009 I have been super busy preparing myself to finally take my paintings on the road. Applying to Fine Art Shows and getting the hang of everything this journey entails has been both exhausting and rewarding. I still have so much to learn and I can't wait for any feedback in regards to my pieces.

The first big show is Art City Austin, April 24-25. I am making the drive alone and will be experiencing all of the ups & downs affiliated with this trip by myself. I am so nervous and the anticipation of how my work will be received by the public is nerve wracking.
So, stay tuned as I will be posting photos and comments from my journey to the South West!