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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PSA for Japan

Very touching and well made PSA for Japan.

Please take a moment to experience.

Thank you.

You can help here:

Give2Asia

"Artists Help Japan" Events

Ema Art Auction

Red Cross

Kokeshi Review Posts

These are all the previous posts made on **Twinklings** regarding the Kokeshi and accompanying group art show at Subtext Gallery in San Diego. Opening night is coming soon and I'm excited to see all the pieces together. This is a wonderful project that I have had the privilege of working on. Thank you to all the talented artists who have made this show possible.


**Kokeshi** @ Subtext Nov. 3, 6-10 pm


Kokeshi Artists


Kokeshi 101


My Favorite Mino


Bunka-no-hi/Culture Day


Bill Collins - 5th Generation Woodworker

Bunka-no-hi/ Culture Day

文化の日 / Culture Day
Bunka-no-hi, pronounced boonka-no-hee, is a national holiday celebrated annually in Japan on November 3rd. English translation is "Day of Culture" and it exists to promote the arts and various fields of academic endeavor, typically there are art exhibits, culture festivals, and parades held in honor of this holiday. "Since 1937, the award ceremony for the prestigious Order of Culture has been held on this day. Given by the Emperor himself to those who have significantly advanced science, the arts or culture, it is one of the highest honors bestowed by the Imperial Family. The prize is not restricted to Japanese citizens, and for instance was awarded to the Apollo 11 astronauts upon their successful return from the moon."*
*text taken from Wikepedia.

Order of Culture Medal

"Established in 1937, the Order of Culture medal features the five petals of a mandarin orange blossom with three magadama (comet-shaped stones) swirled in the center. The attachment features a mandarin orange and leaf.

*Note: An indeciduous mandarin orange tree was planted in the south garden of the Kyoto Goshou Shishinden in the Heian Era, and has thrived ever since. Its position in the garden is immortalized by the phrase Ukonno tachibana. Prized from ancient times, the mandarin orange tree symbolizes eternity. It is said that the mandarin orange tree is used in the Order of Culture because this symbolism connects deeply with the timelessness of culture.

Curiously, Culture Day is statistically one of the finest days of the year. Between 1965 and 1996, there have only been three years with rain occurring in Tokyo on Culture Day." *
*photo and text taken from www8.cao.go.jp


Mandarin Orange Tree, photo courtesy of Natasha

Why am I posting about this Holiday?
The Kokeshi show I'm curating will be held in honor of this day. Opening night and artists' reception will be Saturday, November 3, from 6pm to 10pm. Subtext Gallery is located in San Diego, California at 680 West Beech Street, zip code 92101. Official postcard for event will be posted soon.

My Favorite Mino

One of my favorite Kokeshi reminds me of the little boy in Yannick Puig's animation "I Lived on the Moon," (posted below). The artist's name is Muhitsu Yokige. The outer wrapping of the doll is called a "mino", sometimes actual straw is used and other times, like the example above, the wood is carved as a separate shell.

"(The mino) is an article of clothing worn to protect the farmers and rural peoples of the mountains from rain and snow." - Kokeshi: Wooden Treasures of Japan
I came across this specific doll in the book, "Kokeshi: Wooden Treasures of Japan". The authors/publishers are two ex-professors and the owners of Vermillion Asian Arts, Michael Evans and Robert Wolf. I recently spoke with Wolf about his book and he shared some stories regarding it's creation. One thing I found especially interesting is that it's the only English language book on Kokeshi. I hope to change that by having my own book published with all the the art from the Kokeshi group art show I'm curating. (Detailed information regarding the Kokeshi group show will be posted.)