Art in a Box Show at the Compound

From art in a box:

"Art in a Box Exhibit and Handpick
at The Compound Gallery!
(July 10th-August 8th)

"What does this all mean? It means that all NEW and RENEWING subscribers can pick their piece right off the wall! We only offer this opportunity a couple times a year, so don't miss this!

"Work will be up from July 10th-August 8th in the Artist's Gallery. Even subscribers who are not about to expire can renew (and extend) their subscriptions and pick a piece off the wall. Check out what Art in a Box is all about! The Art in a Box Exhibit and Handpick will be in conjunction with the annual group show featuring The Compound Studio artists and 17 open studios. Too many reasons not to check this out. Better yet, stop by the opening reception on SATURDAY JULY 10th 6-9pm. There will be music, food, friends, and LOTS of Art in a Box to choose from."

So this is one of my pieces for the show. It wont last long....

ArtStruct Art Doors by Yorgen Quent Kvinsland

So in the past few months I have been working on some ceramic heads to be installed in a custom door made by my old college classmate Yorgen Quent Kvinsland. The name of his company is ArtStruct and you should deffinately check out his website here. Here is what he has to say there about the doors:

"A front door is a focal point of a dwelling or building – it sets the mood for the inhabitant or visitor. Yorgen Quent Kvinsland founded ArtStruct on the belief that a front door is an often underutilized blank canvas for creative expression and personal enrichment. A front door should express the owner’s personality and individualism, create a lasting impression, and “set the mood” for the entire building. "

"The identifying signature of an ArtStruct art door is the wooden end-grain grid pattern constant throughout. Also unique to ArtStruct art doors is that sections of the grid can be replaced with original artwork, either from the ArtStruct Collection or introduced by the client. ArtStruct art doors combine fine craftsmanship with artistic expression. They are one-of-a-kind works, crafted from permanent, sustainable, and recycled materials."

So he asked me to make some ceramic panels with heads on them to set in with the woodwork. It took me a good amount of time to get them all done due to super busy schedule but I finally got them all done.
Here is one of the best of the head panels.

And here is a group of several of the heads:

New Ceramic Heads for Professor Squirrel Shop

So if you haven't already heard the fantastic Compound Gallery has moved to a new and improved location. (Address and Hours-1167 65th st., Oakland, CA 94608. Hours: Thursday-Sunday 12-6.) It's only about a block away from the old one. Here is a brief description from their website:
"The COMPOUND Studios & Gallery is an artist run space that was established in 2008. In 2010, The Compound Gallery & Studios moved to a new location in Oakland, CA. The new building allows for a fuller realization of what The Compound is…an art institution without the institution…an art school, without the school. Located in the Golden Gate Gallery district of North Oakland, the new building boasts nearly 8,000 square feet and was chosen because of its location, amazing natural light, and architectural grandeur."
Needless to say it's pretty sweet. Matt and Lena have done an amazing job yet again.
Within the building just off the main gallery is their retail space- Professor Squirrel Shop. Run by the Professor as well as assistants Kerri Lee Johnson and Lena Verderano Reynoso. It looks incredible and their taste is exquisite. This is where you will find my heads. Stop by sometime....

Something from art in a box-

This was a piece I had in art in a box recently.

Another drawing

This is a drawing I did a while ago that I just finished shading. It was just some ideas for a website. There's another larger drawing of just mountains that would be in the background above one or more of these images. They would then be links to other pages.......

3-D Stereo Dam

More Dam Art

This is the second one of these this week. I think I'll try to make the perspective even more prominent on the next one.

New Work for the New Year

New Ceramic Landscape with a dam:

Here it is in stereo-

Here is a picture of a dam I made last year:

Last Chance to get stuff at the Compound Gallery!

That's right, this weekend is your last chance to shop at Holidayland at the Compound and Blankspace Galleries.
Here is the awesome display that Matt and Lena put together for my heads:

Here is one of the nicer, larger (more expensive) one of my heads:


Here are some cups that I made that are for sale. One of them sold already.

And here is another head.

Of course there's lots of other good goodies for your last minute shopping needs. Check out their site for more details.

Kiln Stand

THis is a picture of Sara that I took. I was just copying it to the computer and I thought it was pretty interesting.

Holidayland and Craft Fair at CCA

Well the craft fair time of year is upon us and I have been busy.
First of all I have work up at The Compound Gallery for their Holidayland event which they hold in conjunction with Blankspace Gallery nextdoor.

Here is the info from their website:
"Holidayland
(November 27- December 20th)
First Friday Reception: Friday, December 4th, 6-10pm
Galleries are open extended hours during the sale:WEDNESDAY – SUNDAY 12-8pm
*additional holiday cheer events Dec 13th and 20th 4-8pm

This is the second year we will be joining forces with Blankspace located next door to create a holiday Extravaganza! This year we are looking to offer more local original artwork, handmade crafty items, accessories, cards, ornaments, tote bags and creative fun stuff. Both galleries will be themed with rustic Paul Bunyan decor and will feature over 100 great local artists, designers and craftspeople. Small works of art, ceramics, accessories, paper goods, household goods, gifts for kiddies, jewelry and many more affordable indie gifts. Many fun activities through out the sale including- Get your holiday photo taken in our themed photo booth (proceeds go to Art in Oakland Schools) and spin the Wheel o’ bounty for prizes.

PARTICIPATING ARTISTS (see Blankspace for more artists!): 1.by.liz, Adrian Van Allen, Alissa Goss, Amy Martin, Anne Garvey, Art for a Democratic Society, Ben Belknap, Billy Davidson, Brandy Gardner, Brave Moonman, Claudia Bauer, Christopher Romer, Crystal Morey, Ezme Designs, Flock Home, Foxes and Robbers, Hue Yang, Jake Gillespie, Kate Donaldson-Fletcher, Katie Kaapcke, Laura Borchert, lemonade handmade jewelry, Lena Verderano Reynoso, Lucie-Lu, Matt Reynoso, Masako Miki, Noah Sakamoto, Noelle Nakama, Phineas Wilson Peale, Esq., Recession Clothing, Roberto Gastelumendi, Ryan McJunkin, Shannon Ingraham, Tallulah Terryll, Terrariums by Kat Geiger, unatuna, W.Ho Made It, YaChin Bonny You, and MORE!!"

I have several heads up on an awesome display made by Matt and Lena for the show. It's a stump of a log right up on the counter with the heads all hanging off of it.
I will add a picture of it later, it looks great.

I already had feedback from a happy customer from Holidayland. Local ceramic artist Derik Van Beers came in to my work to show me pictures of the heads that he bought because he was so excited. He even sent me copies:
This is a picture of a wall of ceramic art he has in his house. My work is on the far right.

Here is a close-up of the three heads that he bought. People always like to pick out a group of heads that look good together. I suppose it suggests some sort of narative.


So you can buy your own heads at Holidayland or you can buy them direct from me at the CCA(California College of the Arts) Craft Fair in Oakland this Saturday.


Here is the info from their site:
"Holiday Fair
A winter arts and crafts bazaar
Saturday, December 5, 2009, 11 am–3 pm

Main walkway, Oakland campus
Oakland campus map (PDF)
Directions »

Twice a year CCA Student Affairs staff turn the idyllic Oakland campus into a bustling arts bazaar. The public is invited to shop for one-of-a-kind, handmade, affordable gifts created by the CCA community: paintings, drawings, cards, jewelry, ceramics, hand blown glass, clothing, photography, textiles, and more. Discover unique gifts while enjoying live jazz music and holiday treats.

Participation in selling is open to all CCA students, alumni, faculty, and staff. To register for a table click here. The deadline to register is November 27, 5:00pm.

For more information email glee@cca.edu."

Hope to see you there!

So I started a Blog of only pictures from the "Drawing Telephone" game. So far it only has ones from my house and a few from my old sketchbook. I either drew a picture or wrote a sentence in most of them though not all.
Hopefully we will get some other people's examples posted as well.
Also I just wanted to say that I didn't make the game up and I'm not exactly sure it is call "Drawing Telephone" but I was told it was when I learned the game.
If you are not familiar with the game I will outline it briefly.
You need at least 4-5 people and sheets of paper/sketchbooks and pens for each.
You start by writing a sentence at the top of the page (you could start with a picture).
Next everyone passes their piece of paper.
The next person illustrates the sentence that the first person wrote on that piece of paper.
They fold over the sentence so that only the picture is visible.
Everyone passes their piece of paper again.
The next person writes a caption below the picture.
They fold over the picture so that only the sentence is visible.
Everyone passes and so on until the page is filled up or you run out of people to add.
Enjoy.
I recommend that you try it and then send me a picture so I can post it on the blog.
Here is a link to the Blog: Drawing Telephone

Cup Swap tomorrow

I'm going to the cup swap at the CCAc Ceramics Dept. tomorrow evening and I made some sweet little cups for it. Just thought I'd share them with y'all.




I made them as pinch pots and flattened them square. Then I drew the men with White and Black underglaze on 2 sides of each cup. Finally I used a clear glaze on the inside.




So I'm bringing the little one, just so you know.

recent sketchbook drawings

This is a glacier.

I thought that I would post some recent drawings just to show what else I'm up to.
Enjoy.

This is a video of John Toki and I demonstrating raku firing in a microwave kiln. Here is a link to the Paragon website where you can also see it.

Another Opening at the Compound and Art in a Box

So tomorrow, Friday October 2nd is first Friday in Oakland so it's your best chance to see Crystal Morey, Derek Weisberg, and my show at the Compound Gallery.
I'll be there.
You should come.
Also I just thought I'd let everyone see my new pieces for Art in a Box.
Here is the lowdown:
"The Compound Gallery is pleased to announce ART IN A BOX, a new art subscription service featuring Bay Area artists. Operating on the model of a CSA (Community Supported Agriculture) or wine subscription service, Art in a Box offers amazing original works of art instead of vegetables or wine. Each month subscribers receive a new work of fine art by a different local artist. Our featured artists work in a variety of mediums (ceramic, printmaking, painting, collage, digital prints, etc.) and most of them live and work in Oakland or San Francisco.

Subscribers can indicate a preference in mediums, but not the artist or piece. All artwork is contained in an 11” x 17” x 3” box along with the artist’s bio. Subscriptions are $30/month for pick up only, and $50/month which includes shipping and a bonus piece (there is a minimum three month subscription). We currently have subscribers in all parts of the U.S.—from Oakland to Brooklyn. Art in a Box allows subscribers to receive high quality works worth much more than the subscription cost, gives local artists national exposure, and helps to support the arts and artists in the Bay Area."

And here is the latest:

East Bay Express: I'm on the cover. Awesome.

So, I've gotten a few emails in the last couple of days about reviews for "This Long Road." There are a couple of nice blog reviews as well as an online article that just came out in the East Bay Express. Anyhow today I just found out they used my 'Asbestos Suit' piece on the cover of the actual issue of the East Bay Express. Crazy. Anyhow you should pick up a copy if you can. Here is a picture of the cover:



All you have to do is remove this sticker for "Star Wars in Concert":


And this is the picture revealed:


If you're not in the bay area you can read the review here.

Show at the Compound update

Hey everyone check out this awesome page of the pieces from the show that Matt and Lena put up over at the Compound Gallery.
If yer so inclined you can buy the art there as well.
I will hopefully have some other good pictures at some point but this is pretty sweet.
Thanks yet again Matt and Lena.

A sucessful show and Jordan has a Blog!

Hey thanks to everyone who came out to the art opening on Saturday. For those of you who didn't: you missed out. The turnout was great and it was wonderful seeing so many people I hadn't seen in a long time. The show will be up for a month so it's not too late to see it if you're around.
Also

My friend and colleague Jordan Mello has a newish blog:
http://mosstowne.blogspot.com/
Check it out.
He has just added some of his ceramic sculpture.