Weekly Art Projects: 100 Word Stories With Images

Below are some of the images that were submitted for last week's Art House Co-op's Weekly Art Projects. These pictures have a 100 word story that go along with them. If you'd like to know what they are, click here and it will take you to their blog. Mine is up there too, see if you can find it. It's great to see what everyone came up with and to see so much creativity from around the world.

Handpainted Holiday Ornaments: Going, Going, Soon to Be Gone

Now's the time to buy Holiday Ornaments and my hand-painted ornaments are going out the door. The below and others are still available for purchase, but I cannot guarantee for how much longer. Check it out while you still can by clicking this link.

They are priced at $15.50 each and $5.00 for shipping and handling within the USA. $1.00 for shipping for each additional item. Outside the USA, the shipping rate only goes up to $6.00 with an additional $2.00 per item. Good deals and fun ornaments, don't miss them!

The Way of Flow: A Group Art Show with John Park Live Painting

The Cave Gallery in Venice, CA, specializes in art that is more illustrative, narrative and figurative. That's why my buddy, John Park, has become a regular fixture at this gallery. His work is usually of shapely women and sometimes with 3 eyes like the third eye of the chakras. Calligraphy patterns seem to tattoo them along with all kind of flowing brush strokes.

You will find him outside the gallery, drawing in a thick crowd with his live painting. It's mesmerizing watching his paintings unfold. And you're in luck because this Friday, December 4th, 2009, 7-11PM, he will be there and also be selling a couple pieces in the group show, "The Way of Flow".

He's slowly becoming a known artist. Pick up his pieces while they're still cheap. I'm sure he'll soon be commanding 6 figures for them. For more info, click here.

Enough Edges to Cut Yourself: 2009 Edgy Photography Show Presented by Scion

This video is a behind the scenes look at Scion's edgy photography show at the L.A. Installation Space. The 3 artists, Amy Kellner, Jamie Lee Curtis Taete and Maggie Lee, have captured the bizarre and youthful with their cameras. This was a show that was curated by Vice magazine and if you know Vice, you'll know what bizarre flavor these photographers must have. For more info, view the video and see the photographers talk about their work, or go to Scion and read more about the show.

Scion Presents: 'THE 2009 VICE PHOTOGRAPHY EXHIBITION' from Scion ART on Vimeo.

FREE Fun at Art House Co-op: Weekly Projects

Lookin' to do something wacky and creative? Look no further, Art House Co-op has started a weekly project that is free for anyone to participate in. Some of the latest projects have been building a waterfall in your sink, taking a photo of your favorite window view, and writing 100 word story and providing an image for it. You can see some of these creative problem solutions at the blog (unfortunately, it's temporarily down) or you can just sign up and start participating next week.

Space Man, Watcha Doin'? Recent Illustration

Here's one of my recent illustration. I put a space man in a heck of a lot of trouble. How will he get outta this one?

Get A FREE Screensaver on My Website!

If you have Mac OSX, you can download a FREE screensaver of my homepage. That's right. The alien, the rat, the links man and all the rest come alive to keep your screen happy and safe. I've been caught starring at the screen wondering where they're wandering. A giant fish cloud float by and so much more. Check it out at this link.

Art House Co-op Bringing You Fun Art Projects: Fiction & Self-portrait

I love all the fun ideas that Art House Co-op comes up with. Usually, all their projects are for artists, but they just started one that is for writers too. It's called the "Fiction Project". Below is their description of it.

The first ever Art House Literary project. Help us build the Brooklyn Art Library's collection.

We have plenty of sketchbooks. Now we're looking for authors, writers, 'zine makers, and children's book illustrators to create fictional based narratives and much more to be added to the library.

Upon signing up, you'll receive a 5.5 by 8.5 inch Moleskine Cahier notebook and a randomly selected theme. Create your narrative using words and images and send it back to be a part of the permanent collection at the Brooklyn Art Library.

For more information and to sign up to participate in the Fiction Project:
http://www.arthousecoop.com/projects/fictionproject

They also have a project that doesn't take as much time as the other ones like filling in a whole sketchbook or writing a whole story. This one is just to draw, paint or collage a picture of oneself. Below is their description of it.

Be part of a massive exhibition of self portraits from artists all around the globe! Create an 8x10 inch drawing, photo, collage, or anything that represents you. Your portrait will be included in an exhibition at Brooklyn Art Library as well as published in a book documenting the project. We're not sure what the actual record is, but we think it will be one of the largest portrait endeavors ever!

For more information and to sign up to participate in the Self Portrait Project:
http://www.arthousecoop.com/projects/selfportrait

There are plenty more projects to join. Check out their website for more art fun.

12 Hour ART JAM This Friday, November 20, 2009 8AM-8PM!

This sounds like fantastic fun for anyone who's ever wanted to play, experiment and take some risks with other artists. Friday, November 20, 2009, from 8AM to 8PM at the Art Institute of California, there will be a huge art jam. It's open to students, staff and YOU! And if you believe you'll make a masterpiece; you're in luck, because they will display all the work in a December gallery show. You've got nothing to lose! Go for it! Details are below or at this link.

20 Nov 2009
ART JAM

8:00 am - 8:00 pm / 20 Nov 2009

The Art Institute of California - Los Angeles

2900 31st Street, Santa Monica, CA 90405


Event Description
ART JAM is AIGA Student Group Cnocept's opportunity to take a vacation from the computer. On November 20th, the Little Gallery will be open for 12 hours for students, staff, and visitors to exert art onto canvas. Bring your ideas, supplies, and energy to ART JAM and apply some artistic expression.

All work will then be displayed in a gallery showing in December.

Admittance Information
Free

Parking Details
Meter parking on 31st Street

The Mural Mayhem: Edited Version of that Infamous Night of Live Painting

I posted the raw takes of this evening and then a friend told me I could edited the footage on my mac with iMovie. So I went back to create something cohesive just like we tried to do with 6 artists working on this live mural. See what you think.

Mashing Up All Kinds of Art: Video, Animation, Performance Into Scion's "FLUX SUPER 8"

Scion seems to be on the forefront of knowing where art is heading. FLUX SUPER 8 definitely showcased that they want to spread the word about cutting edge art. They gathered artists from around the world who work in animation, graphic design, performance art and mix it all together into a delicious new stew. See what tasty viddles were cooked up in the video below. It will leave you wanting seconds and thirds.

Scion Presents: 'FLUX SUPER 8' from Scion ART on Vimeo.

My New Favorite Artists: Keaton Henson

Do I have a lot of new favorite artists? Maybe. Maybe not. But yeah, I just found a new one to love and cherish, KEATON HENSON!

I don't know much about him, but he draws some cool and creepy art. He was in the "Blood is the New Black" art show at Junc Gallery. And he designs tee shirts and skate decks.

Below is a video which only gives you a little bit more about this mysterious art dude. You get to see him draw a creepy looking hand and then it gets animated. His work is so cool moving and writhing about.

Check it out. Now dontcha just love him too!

I'm in "Power in Numbers 4": Dec 12, 2009 at Gallery Nucleus

I've just finished creating my 4 paintings for "Power in Numbers 4" which is Gallery Nucleus' annual art and philanthropy event. This year it will benefit the American Red Cross Emergency Efforts. The opening reception will be December 12, 2009, 7-10PM.

I'm not going to give you a sneak peek yet, because I want you to be itching to see what I created. This series of paintings is a little different for me since its emphasis is on the feminine which I usually neglect to explore in my images. I'll also be reminding a you few more times before the event. But mark your calendars and get ready for a cool art show.

For more details and to see what other artists are participating, click here. Hopefully, I'll see you there.

Art Adventures in LA LA Land: Photos of Me Frolicking in My Art-dom

I've been having too many art adventures here in LA LA Land to write about all of them. But here's a little photo journalism of me frolicking in my art-dom.



Oct 2009, part of the 10 foot long Halloween Mural I helped create at the bar and cafe, Copa D'Oro in Santa Monica, California.



Oct 2009, the mural crew who helped make this strange Halloween painting. From left to right: Bryson Whiteman, Lee Smith, Melissa Kojima, Nicole Palmquist, Shiho Nakaza and Dave Hudnut. I had a blast with all my art buddies!



Oct 2009, Hello Kitty Anniversary Celebration at Royal/T in Culver City, California. It was a private, invitation only party, but we got in thanks to our buddy, Richard Kalisher who has all the connections. From left to right: Shiho Nakaza, Hello Kitty, Melissa Kojima and Richard Kalisher.



Nov 2009, drawing and collaborating with my art buddy, Nicole Palmquist, aka, Booleep at the Venice Beach Boardwalk, California. I'm in gray and she's in red. I'm drawing the purple shark creature and she's drawing the big, black fang head.



Nov 2009, Blood is the New Black Art Show at Junc Gallery, Los Feliz, California. There was some lickable art at this show----no just kidding. I thought this piece by Skinner was tasty. Really, I was just goofing off and having fun. That's what I do best on my art adventures in LA LA Land.

Owl Cage and Scissor Hats: Stories from My Sketchbook

A friend asked me what my sketches meant and if I started out with a story in mind before I drew anything. I told him it's up to him to give it a meaning and no, I actually don't start out with a story in mind. But gazing at them, it looks like there's a tale and a half in there somewhere. I have an image in mind and then I take out the ballpoint pen and scribble it out. What it will turn into is just a free flow of my imagination. What do you think these 2 are about?

Guess Who's Turning 5? Gallery Nucleus!

"Blood is the New Black" is not the only cool art company who's turning 5. So is Gallery Nucleus in Alhambra, CA. What better way to celebrate their contribution to the art world than having a huge group art show! They've helped launch the career of young artists and supported those artists who sit at the intersection of fine art and illustration. Congratulations Nucleus! And here's to many more years to come. See details for this event and show at this link.

Junc Gallery Presents Treasures from "Blood is the New Black" Group Show

My pick for this weekend's art outing goes to Junc Gallery in the Loz Feliz area of Los Angeles. They are hosting a group show for the art and design company "Blood is the New Black" (BISNB). It's their 5th year of collaborating with artists and designers to make wearable art. Their roster of formidable artists includes one of my favorite artists, Travis Millard. Maybe, you're wearing his art right now and you don't know it. Check out the show to be in the know.

Blood is the New Black: 5 Year anniversary Exhibition
November 7 - December 14, 2009
Opening Reception and Party Saturday November 7 , 7-11 p.m.

Sarina Brewer's Taxidermy Fantasies

This would have been a perfect post to share during Halloween, but since I think we should celebrate Halloween everyday, I'm sharing it now. Think two-headed cats, griffins and Frankenstein squirrels and you either have some scary, freaks of nature, Halloween decoration or the fantasy taxidermy of Sarina Brewer. Her work is eerie, fun and morbid. But on her about artist page, she insists she loves animals and none of the animals were killed to make her strange sculptures. Most of them are recycled, found or given to her. She says she tries to recycle every part of the animals. And if you look over all her galleries, you can certainly tell she doesn't waste a thing. For example, she pickles brains and makes paws into earrings. Check out this bizarre zoo of hers.