these are a few of my [and the kids] favorite things...

dollar store army guys

snuggies

flarp

new running shoes

cheese in a can

motorized hamster

bowling shoes and gutter balls...

Christmas 2009, pretty nice.

(jen)

Climbing Mt Everest

My lack of writing is a direct reflection of my current inability to find time to create. Life's busyness has managed to come between me and my art. I've moved, traveled for work, road tripped for holiday, etc, etc, and still have not managed to find time to unpack. Thankfully, Heather commissioned me to make a piece for her the other night (featured above) as a gift for someone. Although it's a busy time of year, I was glad to force an opportunity to dig around the Mt Everest of boxes that reside in my garage to try and find my art supplies, which I did manage to find, as well as inspiration to unpack and organize my mountain of belongings [and I plan to, as soon as...].

The beauty in the lack of personal creation is the motivation that comes from witnessing the inventiveness of others. For instance, I had the good fortune to sit next to Kay Abude on a long turbulent flight from NY. I'm not even sure how to describe the type of artist she is; as best as I could understand from the 20 million questions I bombarded Kay with, she seems to be a contemporary installation artist/sculptor, testing spacial boundaries [I hope I explained that properly]. She is currently working on her master's degree, and told me of an installation work from the past that I think is best understood from this link.

I also found that a woman I worked with (Taj Sukhija) on an event with last year, launched a website, Seattle Namaste, which acts as an online local hub to the Seattle Indian community--a great undertaking and resource to many people.

And I also had the pleasure this past weekend to check out my friend's band, Railyard, at Soul Food Cafe, where they held a benefit gig, and from what my pal Ben told me, they gathered quite a bit of goods to be donated. Railyard's show is an acoustic trio treat of multiple instruments, witty interim banter, and sweet harmonies.

Now it's time to take the thoughts in my mind's eye and bring it on down through my hands; make something of it. And if I might be so bold in a respectful way, I challenge my pal Heather to do the same. I know she's got a lot of great ideas floating around, and I think it's due time we collaborate on another show; 2010.

(jen)

the cheese stands alone

Before leaving for New York last week, for my day job, I had the opportunity to participate in the Edmond's Artwalk, showing my paintings at The Resident Cheesemonger. It's one of my favorite venues due to it's town center location and its cheese insulated quaintness. The photo above features a piece I finished the night before, and ended up selling before I even had a chance to name it.

My little plywood pieces fit well among the international community of cheese. By the way, it's always surprising to me how passionate some people are about cheese.???

*On another note, the photo below features the impressive view I had last night. Now I'm back to the reality of my life at home.

(jen)

nice time

So I'm in Milwaukee, and I very much look forward to returning home tomorrow, and it's not just because of this creepy hallway from my hotel [shown above]. Beside becoming dizzy from the combination of the florescent lighting and funky carpet pattern, the chanting come play with us Danny runs through my mind each time I walk down this hallway.

So I had some time to myself yesterday, and decided to take the opportunity to check out the Milwaukee Museum of Art, which just opened their Warhol exhibit. As I approached the entrance, I realized they looked obviously closed [on Mondays] and turned to watch my cab drive away. And so my short journey in Milwaukee began.

This is the view from the skybridge of the museum. Forgive my phone camera, it doesn't take the most delicious of pictures, but you get the idea.

And this is the pink fountain that is outside of the museum. I would have liked to have seen it on a sunny day, but the day I experienced in downtown Milwaukee was possibly more interesting--due to the sustained 35-40 mile an hour winds that plagued the city. *By the way, oh how I wish the museum was open Monday.

This is the view of the city as I approached it from the skybridge.

I originally set out to look for food and shelter [in a "I'm pretty hungry and it's pretty windy" way] and came upon this hole in the wall bookstore, which really was misleading, because once in the doors, it seemed to go on forever. Very cool shop. Long, narrow, and stacked higher than I could reach without a stool, with any type of book a person could imagine.

In the back, up two flights of a concrete stairwell, and all the way toward the front window of the shop, resides the art section. I love used books [history, stories, stains, missing pages], but the beauty of this shop is the crates and boxes of art prints & postcards protected in sleeves and stacked to be thumbed through by a scavenger like me. I was probably there an hour, and barely scratched the surface.

I, for $3 + some odd cents, walked out with 7 articles, including: a vintage postcard, some prints [one being of my friend Vincent and his missing ear], a vintage informational pamphlet on the Church of St. Elizabeth, and a print that wasn't particularly catching but featured an excerpt from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's The Builders [in a nice stoic sentiment if you ask me].

Nothing useless is, or low;

Each thing in its place is best;

And what seems but idle show

Strengthens and supports the rest.

These are some of the crates from the bookshop.

The rest of the story is...I didn't blow away, and now I'm going home; I have some treasures and a nice time in Milwaukee. Yes I said it--nice time in Milwaukee.

That's that.

(jen)

dead ted & rita bonita

dead ted 2009 6"x 6" mixed media

Today was a terrifically gloomy grey day of drizzle in the Northwest. Very inspiring to stay home and paint all day--well that and clean, do laundry, cook [macaroni and cheese for the kids, because I really didn't feel like stopping painting, and by the way, I'm probably the last mom on earth to admit that publicly], prepare plywood for future projects, and make [yes real home-made] snickerdoodles. PRO-DUCTIVE...my day was today.

The grey day also inspired some autumn theme (Halloween and Dia De Los Muertos) bits, like dead ted and rita bonita.

Story goes like this...Ted loved Rita from afar for days [long time for Ted], and on a grey gloomy Tuesday, much like today, he walked across the street from his barber shop (funny because clearly Ted has no hair) to Rita's bikini latte stand. Unfortunately Ted stepped in front of the 11am city sightseeing tour bus, which usually slows down as it passes by Rita's bikini stand, but on that day barrelled through with the fury of a red sports car. Rita kicked off her high heels to run barefoot to the scene of Ted's demise. It was then that she noticed, crumpled in Ted's hand, a photo of her--somewhat creepy, because it seemed to be a surveillance still shot, but the picture persisted to soften Rita's heart. Tragically still, Rita grew ill from pneumonia and died on Friday [too many rainy days of chill, and not enough clothing]. But on a happy note, Ted and Rita reunited in the afterlife, where they formally met and fell in love.

The end.
[They currently follow Riana, but that's a side story].

rita bonita 2009 6"x 6" mixed media

*oh, and thanks to Bill for cutting my plywood on this rainy day--snickerdoodles are for you.

(jen)

you can commission a fire?

simple as that 2009 24"x 24" mixed media

Thanks to those who came out to Tacoma City Ballet to enjoy the festivities of Saturday evening. Between the bits of modern and ballet dance, the music, the dessert, the champagne and the art, it was a great [possibly last] nice summer Saturday night.

It was so nice to see my aunt and two cousins who came to the event. The surprise of the night (other than my one cousin's new baby bump) was talking to my attorney cousin who is running for fire commissioner. She wanted to give me one of her signs, which I am thrilled about and told her I would hang it as a work of art in my home, and I noticed that as she dug through the trunk of her car, she seemed to be looking for "the best" sign to give me [sweet].

VOTE FOR AMY!

(jen)

it's a bird! it's a plane! it's a...balloon?

So my kids and I were hanging out, when we began to hear a loud noise outside our house that has become quite familiar--the sound of hot air balloon fire. Tonight however, it was louder than usual, so I hopped up from my seat and ran with my kids outside to find strangers parked in our driveway and a hot air balloon landing in my neighbor's yard. The people parked in our driveway must have been (what I assume) balloon chasing, which is something I've been known to do on occasion. We live in a community where hot air balloons float above the tree line most summer evenings, and if we happen to be driving and see one descending, my kids will make a plea to chase it, but until tonight, they've always landed somewhere hidden.

We invited the family who parked in the driveway to join us as we witnessed the balloon gently land in my neighbor's field.

up

going...

going...

*and this is the point when I decided to ignore the niceties of politeness and stand at my neighbor's gate smiling until he let me and my kids in [thanks neighbors!].

In the words of my 9 year old son, "those were about the best 17 minutes of my life." (he's very literal by the way--it probably was 17 minutes, in fact I'm sure it was; he noted it)

(jen)

3...such a nice number

So tonight we placed some art at Mode Organic Salon (on Roosevelt) in Seattle, and it went efficiently well thanks to my friends Heather and Angela. [3 is such a nice number]

Mode is a cozy organic establishment, and when I first visited to scope it out, I was inspired to create something specific for its environment.

Images that came to mind during inspiration:

delicate

muted colors

whispers

branches

paper

history

...and I think judging by these photos, my original idea came to life, which is fairly remarkable considering that doesn't happen too often [inspiration translating into something tangible without losing original integrity or evolving into something completely different]. I imagine I'm not alone in that?

Anyway, it's another one of those moments that when I step back and feel as if it came together on its own accord with me as the mere conduit.

This work will hang at Mode for about 2 months, so feel free to pop in and check it.

6317 Roosevelt Way NE, Seattle

(jen)

Something old + Something new

I've waited to post anything, because I wanted to make sure everyone had a chance to see the video Renan created of Heather's brother and sister-in-law's wedding reception. Intoxicating to watch--in a good way--and if you haven't seen it, check it.

Shown here are two examples of some current works, finished today, that I plan to install on Monday at Mode Organic Salon on Roosevelt. There will be some canvas floral pieces, and 13 new [vintage] postcard pieces. I've been inspired to hang them integrating organic materials, but I'm not sure how it's all going to come together (very typical, although it always does). Heather has also offered to help with the hang--thank you friend!

(jen)

married man

here's a great video of my brother's wedding in Norway. It's our last day here and we LOVE the people and new family... we will for sure be back! The video was created by Renan Ozturk (my brother's best man and one of my favorite artists/people) BIG congats to my baby bro Seth and his beautiful new wife Maren (WE LOVE YOU!!)

XO,

Heather