Process and Admiration

When it comes to painting skills, Mark Ryden has them beyond the average human. I've been a long time admirer of this talented artist's abilities and unique perspectives on visual story-telling. He's been copied many many times so if you feel you've seen this subject matter and style before... it's true. I guess copying is the sincerest form of flattery. I only wish less people would accept it as being okay.

Mark had an opening in NYC this weekend that several artist friends were able to attend in-person. I'm rather envious, but hoping when I travel there in 2 weeks I can view the work for myself. yay! NYC, stop flaunting all your wares... I'm ready for you already!

My personal souvenir of Mr. Ryden can be found here: Yearbook Drawing by Mark Ryden

Yearbook {Kent Williams} & Happy Halloween!

Kent Williams' work is so exotic, colorful and mesmerizing. Cool and collected, he oddly enough drew for me a crowned skull, which I feel appropriately fits in with today's most awesome of holidays, HALLOWEEN!

Kent's Blog.

Ode to past Halloweens:

My father and his sister in Moline, Kansas circa 1954(?)

Halloween party at my house, my dad was the best, we'd carve pumpkins and make huge messes, the best parties are always the messy ones. That would be me on the far left, aka Casper.

For more Halloween goodness, check out WickedHalo's pics

Yearbook {Kelly Vivanco}

Creator of sweet sweet girls, stripes and birds, the refreshing and super down to earth, Kelly Vivanco.

Kelly also creates super duper adorable comics about hamsters called "Patches".

Yearbook {kozyndan}

What haven't these two been a part of (Music, Fashion, Art, Books, Photography, Etc.)... they're quickly taking over the world... like bunnies multiplying goodness and trouble all along their wake, meet kozyndan.

kozyndan's Blog.

Yearbook {Martin Hsu}

"Where have you been all my life???" Martin Hsu. lol.

Martin's Blog.

Delightfully talented, snazzy dresser and smooth dancer, Martin is the cat's meow! I first met Martin a couple years ago at Comic Con in San Diego and his work is ever increasingly refined and wonderful. Martin has a piece in the Three Apples show I attended at Royal/T. Below is his handsome mug along with his amazing painting titled, "Once Upon A Kitty Wedding".

preliminary sketch... how cool is this???!

Found on Martin's Flickr:

"The most exciting moment of the night was when I found out my painting was purchased by Sanrio and it's going to be on display at their headquarter office! I feel so honored!"

SUPER CONGRATULATIONS MARTIN! -c

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!

Yearbook {Camilla d'Errico}

Lovely lovely lovely, sweet and wonderful Camilla d'Errico.

Camilla's Store.

Yearbook {Tom Haubrick}

The dark, angry (wink) and gifted artist of both paper and skin, Tom Haubrick aka Haubs.

Haubs' Blog.

Yearbook {Jeni Yang}

Food-obsessed, charmingly captivating and marvelously creative Jeni Yang.

Jeni's Blog.

Yearbook {Harmony Gong}

Hidden gem, fascinatingly talented and super fun, Harmony Gong. Keep a watch out for this one, she's going to take the art world by storm!

Yearbook {Yoskay Yamamoto}

The sweet-as-peas and mighty talented goofball, Yoskay Yamamoto.

Yoskay's Blog

Yearbook {Poketo}

The dynamic duo and fellow lovers of art, Angie and Ted of Poketo.

Poketo Blog

Yearbook {Celëne}

Beautifully talented, sweet sweet friend, Celëne Petrulak.

Celëne's Blog

Yearbook {Edwin Ushiro}

The charming and fantastically awesome Edwin Ushiro.

Ed's Blog

Yearbook {Eliza Frye}

The wonderfully talented Eliza Frye.

Eliza's Blog

Eliza's Etsy

Yearbook {Ken Garduno}

The amateur photographer in me recorded everyone that took a go at my Yearbook. Here's a favorite, Mr. Ken Garduno

Ken's Blog

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