Reader's Digest of Updates

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We raised over $6000 with the Ema Art for Japan Fundraiser... WOWOWOW! THANKS to each and every one of you that participated, checked out the auctions and supported the cause. It was a bit of a nightmare working with Mission Fish (and I flat out can say, "DON'T USE THEM.") since they are greedy little buggers. But overall it was a huge labor of love and I'm proud to have been able to help Japan in some tiny way.

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In Los Angeles, for the "Year of the Labbit" at the Japanese American National Museum, I have a custom Labbit on view from July 14 through September 11, 2011. My "Pooka" is showcased with mighty talent all around, including work by Edwin Ushiro, Yoskay Yamamoto, Camilla d'Errico, Lou Pimentel and Harmony Gong amongst others. All pieces are for sale, support the museum and the artists.

"Pooka", customized Labbit by me. Acrylic, Sculpey and Love.

"Pooka" close-up of riding babooshka.

Blank Labbit with Sculpey droppings.

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Kelly Vivanco's painting with bonus Kraken(s).

I'm currently working on a piece for the 5 year celebration show at Subtext Gallery in Little Italy, San Diego. The show is titled, "Release the Kraken" and has local talent repainting collected works of art depicting water with a "Kraken" added to the scenes. I wish I could be there for the opening of this show on August 12th... but alas I will be in New York City for work, play and adventures! If you attend the opening, please takes loads of photos and share the experience with me. Wish I could be in two places at once.

KRAKEN BEFORE/AFTER

Lebedinoye Ozero by Anonymous & Christina Conway

Acrylic and Velvet Painting on Cardboard

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In August, I'll be visiting NYC (and New Jersey) for almost two weeks. Can't wait!!! It's mostly for pleasure so I have next to nothing to complain about... even with the weather predicting to be H-O-T. Can't wait to visit my art friends and see all the things that make NYC, NYC.

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"I ♡ Unicorns", an early work by Christy Conway

(yes, in the days of unicorns I was a Christy).

AND... In the works for this Fall is a show I'm curating for Subtext Gallery, "School Night Open House", with artists reinterpreting existing works of art from their youth. The line-up is truly incredible and gives me goose-bumps each time I review - Check out these artists and links for yourself and see why YOU MOST DEFINITELY SHOULD BE IN ATTENDANCE November 11, 2011 - that's 11/11/11 for all you number kids out there.

Confirmed Artists:

Allison Sommers www.allisonsommers.com

Audrey Kawasaki www.audrey-kawasaki.com

Catherine Brooks www.catherinebrooksart.com

Celëne Petrulak www.celeneart.com

Chris Ryniak www.chrisryniak.com

Dadu Shin www.dadushin.com

Harmony Gong www.harmonygong.com

JAW Cooper www.jawcooper.carbonmade.com

Jeya www.jeniyang.com

Jennifer Davis www.jenniferdavisart.com

JUURI www.juuriart.com

Katherine Brannock www.katherinebrannock.com

Kelly Vivanco www.kellyvivanco.com

Leung Ka-Yin, Joey www.leungkayin.com

Martin Hsu www.martinhsu.com

Naoshi www.nao-shi.com

Nimit Malavia nimitmalavia.com

Sean Mahan www.seanmahanart.com

Soey Milk milkbomb.blogspot.com

Tran Nguyen www.studentpages.scad.edu/~tnguye25

Yoskay Yamamoto www.yoskay.com

Zoë Williams www.x03.org

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Yearbook {Brandi Milne}

Self-taught artist extraordinaire, gorgeous and vivacious Brandi Milne!

Brandi's Blog.

And it was so much fun running into this lovely lady on Saturday night. I was invited to a little get-together at Lola's and met some wonderful, fun and creative people.

Here's a blurry shot (Brandi insisted on not using a flash, silly lady) I took from that night. L to R: Luke Chueh, Kim Chueh, Lola, Roman Cho and Brandi Milne.

Thanks Lola for a fabulous evening!

The only downfalls were

1) I missed the GB opening at JANM, which was incredible from what I hear and

2) It took me 2 hours to drive back to where I was staying due to highway 101 and 110 being closed... the only major arteries going to where I needed to be. I don't know LA and finding my way through side streets which were also blocked often was a little frustrating, especially at 3 am :(

BUT I made it back and now I'm in SD again, trying to catch up and also get some great ideas onto paper and into people's hands for my next curating adventure! YAY! LA!

Kokeshi: From Folk Art to Art Toy, Bids Adieu

It is a bittersweet thing to write that the Kokeshi show at the Japanese American National Museum has come to an end. It's been an amazing experience having the opportunity to work and show at such a respectable space. I know it was a first for many artists to have their work in a museum and for a few... the first time to show their work to the public, anywhere. Gives me goosebumps thinking about the opportunities that have happened and are in the works and in the future for so many amazing creatives. I'm keeping my toes, fingers and cats' mitts crossed for more adventures in the future where I can continue to work with such incredible talent. To the new friends I made, I am truly honored to have had the privilege to meet you (online or in-person) and to now know you on a first name basis, lucky lucky me!

Meeting so many artists this year has been intoxicating and as a result I was inspired to collect my own "Yearbook" of autographs from a few I spent some time with in-person. Below is a necklace book that I found at Renegade Craft Fair in LA, the day after the Kokeshi show opened, July 11. The maker of this beloved treasure is Found and Made Designs.

1.5" x 2" book made from random papers and old book cover.

Can you figure out who the artists are based on the signatures and doodles (click here for larger images)? I'll send a Blank Artist Kokeshi to the first person to correctly match them up with the list below (sorry artist friends, if you're in the book, you can't participate, you already know the secrets it holds):

Mari Inukai

Harmony Gong

kozyndan - Dan

kozyndan - Kozy

Poketo - Angie

Poketo - Ted

Eliza Frye

Kelly Vivanco

Brody Albert

James Jean

Tara McPherson

Edwin Ushiro

Jeni Yang

Matty M. Cipov

Ken Garduno

Celëne

Gary Baseman

Yoskay Yamamoto

Catherine Brooks

Fred Harper

Zoso

Mark Ryden

Tom Haubrick

Martin Hsu

Kent Williams

Brandi Milne

Travis Louie

Molly Crabapple

Miss Mindy

David Mack

Bill Collins (woodworker for Kokeshi)

Camilla d'Errico

Eric Davison

Jeremy Bastian

David Horvath

Many hearts and hugs to everyone that made this show and my amazing year possible. Thank you! -c

Discover {JANM CUSTOM KOKESHI}

don't miss in-person:

Japanese American National Museum in downtown Los Angeles, 1st and E Street (Little Tokyo area).

Show ends October 4, HURRY!

For Sale in JANM Store:

www.janmstore.com

Online detail views:

Custom Kokeshi for JANM 2009

This project and the pieces continue to thrill me everyday, I always see something new each time I take a look. Thank you again to everyone that made this show possible! xox - c

Kokeshi: From Folk Art to Art Toy on NBC News

Despite the mispronunciation at the beginning and the embellishing a bit on the story behind the custom Kokeshi section, it's a pretty sweet piece. And all put together at the last minute, so I'm very happy with the results. Make sure you see this exhibition in-person... it's now NBC recommended ;)

And thank you to Edwin Ushiro for being on call to R E P R E S E N T! Make sure to check out his solo show, opening at LeBasse Projects in Culver City, September 12, 2009.

A Solo Exhibition by Edwin Ushiro

September 12, 2009, 7PM-10PM
6023 Washington Blvd.
Culver City, CA 90232
310.558.0200
contact@lebasseprojects.com

Photos ©Edwin Ushiro 2009

ReDiscover {Kelly Tunstall & Ferris Plock}

The characters in the U2 music video/animation I posted earlier remind me of Kelly Tunstall's wide-eyed girls. I know the big-doe-eyed-girl thing is played over and over again, but there's something truly special about Kelly's girls. I love the way she portrays her characters... so fashionable and so much fun attention is paid to other elements of her paintings, I can't help but have a crush on many. I am lucky enough to have a new painting (in-process image above) from Kelly working its way from San Fran to my tiny home art collection... super yays!!

Kelly and her husband, the talented artist Ferris Plock, have a show, "Sea of Love", opening soon at 111 Minna Gallery in San Francisco (Aug. 6 - 29th). I HIGHLY recommend dropping by and being passionately inspired by their lovely, fun and collaborative work.

Tangerine by Kelly Tunstall. 8"H, Mixed Media. Click for larger image. Kokeshi available through JANM Store.

Frost by Ferris Plock. 8"H, Mixed Media. Click for larger image. Kokeshi available through JANM Store.

****Speaking of Animation and Kelly and Ferris' uber talentedness, admire this video they recently made with Jim Dirschenberger:

The Seafarers - Sea of Love from Eighty Four Films on Vimeo.

Cool Hunting Interview (link at bottom of post)

As of this post I have 338 bookmarked RSS feeds, or in layman terms, a whole lotta sites I try to stay up to date with. I use these sites to distract me from my day, learn how to find cheap deals, see what the latest pattern trend is, see adorably cute animals and read up on friends' activities, etc. etc. Included in this vast pool of sites I look at regularly is Cool Hunting. I was excited to learn at the Kokeshi preview, a writer from the site wanted to post the event and even ask a few questions to yours truly. Here's the damage ;)

Thank you Julie and Cool Hunting!

Blank Kokeshi 2009

click on above image for larger view

I was unable to find blank kokeshi online back in 2007 when I started the first Custom Kokeshi show, so I had to have all the dolls created for me. All are U.S. made from Hardwood Maple and Birch (sorry, not the traditional Japanese woods) with removable head. Minor sanding may be required to finish cut edges.

The LARGE is the same design the artists used for the Fall 2007 show at Subtext. The ARTIST size is the same design used in the most recent show at the Japanese American National Museum. I have a limited quantity of every style, write me if you would like to purchase any, this is the "official shop" for now :)

Happy Creating!
Christina Conway

Kokeshi Artists 2009 at JANM/ Opens July 11

This year's custom Kokeshi artists are (click on name to see their website):

Adolie Day
Aline Yamada
Allison Sommers
Amy Huddleston
Amy Paul
Amy Ruppel
Amy Sol
Ande Cook
Andrea Innocent aka Innocentgirl
Annie Wilkinson
APAK

Bubi Au Yeung
Bailey Saliwanchik
Betsy Walton
Brigitte Coovert

Caia Koopman
Calef Brown
Camilla d'Errico
Camilla Engman
Catherine Brooks
Cathie Bleck
Celene
Cheon Eun Sil
Christina Conway
CJ Metzger

Dacosta!
Danamarie Hosler
Dan May
David Horvath

Edwin Ushiro
Eliza Frye

egg scissors
Eveline Tarunadjaja

Ferris Plock
Florence Pacho
Fontaine Anderson

Gustavo Aimar

Harmony Gong
Hine Mizushima

Jacqueline Myers-Cho
Jaime Zollars
Jason Levesque aka Stuntkid
Jason Limon
Jeni Yang
Jen Lobo
Jenn Playford
Jenn Porreca
Jennifer Davis
Jeremiah Ketner
Jody Hewgill
Joel Nakamura
Johnny Yanok
Julie West

Kathleen Lolley
Kelly Tunstall
Kelly Vivanco
Ken Garduno
Kent Williams
kozyndan
Kris Chau
Krista Huot
Kristin Elder
Kukula

Laura Laine
Lilly Piri
Liza Corbett
Lorena Alvarez
Lou Pimentel

Macoe Swet
Marcos Chin
Marguerite Sauvage
Mar Hernández aka Malota
Mari Inukai
Meredith Dittmar
Michelle White
Mike Rivamonte
Miss Mindy

Nassyrova Dilka
N.C. Winters
Noferin (Nicho & Candy)

Paola Zakimi
PCP/Heisuke Kitazawa
Pietari Posti
Pilar Berrio
Poketo (Ted & Angie) x Busc

Raquel Aparicio
Red Nose Studio (Chris Sickels)

Samuel Ribeyron
Sandi Calistro
Sandra Equihua
Sandra Wang/Crockett Bodelson
Sayaka
Stella Im Hultberg
Sterling Hundley

Tado (Mike & Katie)
Tara McPherson
Tessar Lo
Timothy Karpinski
Travis Louie
Toshiyuki, Fukuda

Yellana James
Yoskay Yamamoto

The LATDA website will be updated periodically showing sneak peeks of finished work. Some artists have posted their finished Kokeshi... an early treat you'll only get by visiting their websites! Enjoy and get to know some favorite new artists!

Dreams to Dreams

The phases Nature Otokonoko went through while in my possession.
My final customized vinyl Daruma (about the size of a volleyball).

The next show I'm in! I edited the back of the virtual postcard so my fans can recognize me on the list (lol). How I ended up amongst such a marvelous group of artists I'm not entirely certain, but complaining I'm not! The artists' reception is this Saturday (Dec. 6) at JANM from 1pm-4pm. I will be there proudly grinning ear to ear, if you see a geeky red-head please say "hello" and if it happens to be me, I'll surely give a warm "hello" right back. And then probably talk your ear off about the amazing museum, my Kokeshi project and any advice on the best place to visit that night while in LA.

My Daruma's title is Nature Otokonoko (Japanese for 'boy'). I named him after a friend I was visiting in Washington state that inspired the theme of my piece. The real "Nature Boy" lives next to a salty lake, hidden away from busy streets and noisy neighbors. I was in-love with his location and working outside on the patio, viewing all the lovely foliage and nature at its best definitely influenced my work. Thanks Wil aka "Nature Boy".

There will be around 50 custom Darumas in the show, all for sale, with proceeds benefitting the museum, which needs all the support it can receive during these trying times. Also, small blank vinyl DCTO Darumas will be for sale and some artists will be available for signing.

Project curated by Maria Kwong (director of JANM Store) and Dacosta (designer of the DCTO vinyl Daruma).

Here's JANM's write-up of the project:
Dreams to Dreams
December 2, 2008 - January 4, 2009

SPECIAL ENGAGEMENT
The Japanese American National Museum in association with Dacosta of Chocolate Soop bring you the first custom vinyl toy show in a museum.

Just in time for the holidays, 40-50 artists will customize Chocolate Soop’s DCTO (Dream Come True Object), a futuristic vinyl version of a traditional Japanese New Year’s folk toy. Artwork will be on display and on sale at the Museum through the month of December and through the Museum’s Oshogatsu celebration. Pieces from this show will also be available for sale online in December on the Museum Store Online.

DCTO (pronounced dik-toe) is an urban vinyl version of a daruma, symbol of the 5th century Buddhist monk who meditated so long he lost the use of his arms and legs. Daruma dolls come with unpainted eyes. The owner uses Daruma as a symbol of personal dedication to a new venture or new beginning. Painting in the left eye shows commitment to a goal; once the goal is achieved, you paint in the right eye.

Sneaky Stuff

Here's a new sneak peek of a different project I just finished up. This time someone else has been busy curating and I was able to play the part of an artist ;)
Show will be at the beginning of December at JANM and this link has something to do with it. Will give more away when the show is closer to opening.

Kokeshi 2009 Sneak

It's not until mid-next year but I had to share a peek into the project and proudly display the artists that will be contributing to the next Kokeshi show. There's a new shape (unreleased) and a bevy of new artists for 2009. Artists' links have been added to the Flickr images. Click on above images to be taken to Flickr set of artists in next year's show.

An early "Thank You" to those contributing, I am truly honored!