Imagine That: CSUN Illustration Club Exhibition

Illustration by Gail Buschman

Please join me on September 29th for the Artists Reception from 6-10pm.

I had the pleasure to work closely with Gail Buschman and Laurel Long to charter the Illustration Club at California State University Northridge. It gives me great pride to see the foundation work taking shape. I will be co-curating the show as well as displaying my artwork. Imagine That is a student exhibition showcasing the work of current illustration students and CSUN alumni. On Friday, September 29,2006 the artists’ reception and Illustration Club launch party will be held. The show will run from September 29th-Octber 5th and will be at California State University Northridge's West Gallery.

Art and Design Center, Rm 201
18111 Nordhoff St.
Northridge, CA 91330-8299
(818) 677-2156

I thought I told you that I won't stop....

God put me on this earth to accomplish a certain number of things. Right now I am so far behind that I will never die.
Bill Watterson


Anyone who knows me is aware that I have dreams filled with grandeur. At first glance this quote seems a bit narcissistic because every story and life comes to an end. But I feel like my ideas and goals will far surpass my own earthly life, because they are grounded in helping others, making real change, and most importantly not centered in selfish gain. If I could influence, guide, or affect other people with my passions, I know my accomplishments will live on far past myself. But in the meantime I'm going to be working my butt off to make moves in my earthly life. Jump on the train before you get left behind!

The Women's Show 2 @ Cactus Gallery

I will be showing a few pieces in the group show at Cactus Gallery. All the important info is below. I will be at the Artist Reception on Sept. 16th. If you can't make it out to that, the show will be running from Sept 9th-Oct. 13th.



OVER 30 WOMEN ARTISTS SHARE VISIONS OF FEMINISM IN THE WOMENS SHOW 2 ART EXHIBIT OPENING SEPTEMBER 9


August 24, 2006 -- Eagle Rock (Northeast Los Angeles). 30 Los Angeles women artists have joined together in an exploration of the spectrum in all its brilliance and subtlety. The exhibit, The Women Show 2, will open for an extended run at Cactus Gallery in Eagle Rock(Northeast Los Angeles), with a reception for the artists on Saturday, September 16, 2006.

The 30 or so participants in the exhibition span generations, cultures, and artistic media, but they find themselves brought together both as women and as artists who express themselves through color, photography and sculpture in all its subtle and startling complexity. The works are bold and thought provoking. This should be a must see show on every art aficionados list.

Cactus is a vibrant space for creative people. We seek to inspire & enliven the community by giving opportunities to experience the eclectic diversity that is the arts. In our creative space, weve enjoyed the spontaneity of live drawing; live painting and live music. Cactus is ever evolving and ready for the next idea.

The Womens Show will run from September 9 through October 13, 2006, with an Artists Reception scheduled for September 16, 7:00 10:00 p.m.

Cactus Gallery is located at 4534 Eagle Rock Blvd., Eagle Rock, CA, (Northeast Los Angeles). Call 323-256-6117 for appointments and more information. Or check out their website: www.eclecticcactus.com/. Sandra Mastroianni, gallery director and co-owner semastroianni70@yahoo.com.

E-Hobo.com

There is a wonderful collaborative art project based off of the book The Areas of My Expertise. Over 200 artists have joined together to illustrate 700 hobos. The project is a lot of fun. Take a look at the names for a good laugh. Here is a list of hobo names that caught my eye. I will post my illustrations here and on the www.e-hobo.com

#171: Twink the Reading-Room Snoozer
#181: Lil' Max Meatboots
#189: Skywise the Sexual Elf
#207: Genius L. Cravat, the Gentleman
#248: Linty Sullivan, the Lint-Collector
#259: Longtime Listener, First-Time Caller
#343: Reasonably Priced Motel Resse Unger
#349: Holy Hannah Hottentot-Smythe
#537: Spotted Dick
#594: Jonas Tugboy, Professional Masturbator
#678: Sanitized-for-Your-Protection Eddie Summers
#693: Tittytwister Blake Horrid

Hobo of the Moment

The Hoboes Time Has Come......

Waste Your Life. Be An Artist.....

Thought this was really funny. Reminds of this conversation I had a few months ago when I was asked what's my job. My reply of Artist was laughed at by this random drunk guy. I thought it was really funny how he couldn't grasp that I actually work and make money off the pursuit of my art.

Oh well that won't stop my determination. If you didn't know, now you know.

Taking Power Lunches to the Next Level

I've been taking the idea of a Power Lunch to the next level these past few weeks. I'm very passionate about my art and have very high goals for myself. Of course these high goals won't be reached, unless I take big measures to reach them. One of the biggest problems for creatives with a day job is staying motivated during the work week. I personally am dog tired when I get home and am not really enthusiastic about preparing my palette and painting.

But my Power Lunch Painting Sessions are like Cardio for my Art Regímen. I pop open the trunk of my Hatchback (the perfect Traveling Artists car!), break out the paints and clay and get to work. I feel so pumped after Lunch, the time ticks so fast in anticipation of going home and continue my painting or sculpture.

My First Munny: Painted & Done!

1. I used acrylic paint to add the details on the Munny.
2. I used a green-blue and brown w/gold to add texture over the pale blue.
3. After I finished painting, I sprayed the whole thing with a couple of coats of clear gloss.





The Show Down!

My First Munny: Sanding & Priming

1. I sanded the whole thing down with very fine #00 Steel Wool.
2. I primed the Munny with Gray Auto Primer.
3. Then I spray painted him with Rust-oleum Paint for Plastic in Spa Blue.

Next step acrylic painting and finishing.

43 Things: Easter Egg Hunt/Treasure Hunt on My Site

I update my blog pretty regularly, but I want to update my website more often. I have this cool idea for an “Easter Egg Hunt” on my page that I need to get going. It will bea fun way for visitors to go through my website and find hidden treasures as well as win prize and discounts on art.

See more progress on: update my website more often On my 43 Things page

43 Things List

I found this really cool website called www.43Things.com. It's a community based website where you can create and share your goals. If you know me, I'm an avid list maker and goal writer. I write a goal list every year. As I create and maintain my 43 Things List, I will occasionaly write about a specific goal in my blog. So check back to see what new Goals I have. Who knows, maybe we are working towards the same goal! Each one, Teach one!

So far my goals are:

• work because I like to, not because I have to
• Grow in Christ
  
• save 10% of my income.
  
• become a much, much better digital photographer
• Drive across the USA
  
• Fly First Class
• update my website more often
  
• master CSS
• witness the end of IE
  

My 43 Things List

Art of Elysium: One on One Art Workshop

"It's in giving that we receive." -St. Francis

I had the pleasure to work with two great children last week through the organization, Art of Elysium. Elysium (E.ly’.si.um) is a Greek word meaning a place or condition of ideal happiness. Through "Distractive Therapy," the organization allows artists and entertainers of all genres and mediums to create an environment that allows the children to escape from the pain and anxiety of being in a hospital and undergoing illness. The power of art has a great healing effect. I first learned about the organization from the FOX 11 News. I saw a clip on a commercial and stayed up all night waiting for the feature. The mission of The Art of Elysium immediately struck cord with me because I used to study Art Therapy and have plans to start my own non-profit organization.

I am very honored and humbled to share my artistic gifts with the children I met. The first workshop I did was with a very fun little girl. We had a great time sculpting faces, balls, and just about everything in Shocking Pink clay. She was filled with so much joy and laughter, I was surprised to hear from the doctor that she is normally not so upbeat. Her smiling face and laughter was a great way to end the first workshop of the day. Following that I worked with the sweetest budding artist. His hospital room was filled with his artwork and trophies. It was a joy teaching art to him. He was very observant and asked lots of questions about my art techniques. We worked on a self portrait, done in acrylic paints. He was very excited to know that he was using the same type of art supplies and techniques I use to make my art. While we painted together, doctors and nurses came in the room to check his stats and medicines several times. Each time he paid them no mind whatsoever. I was blown away when the doctors and nurses thanked me for my volunteering because it was helping him keep his mind off of his pain. To see the excitement in his face and voice when he was told that he could keep the paints and would be getting more artists visits, was priceless. I'm looking forward to doing more workshops and working with the children.


For more information about volunteering or donating to the Art of Elysium, visit the website:
http://www.theartofelysium.org/

The Art of Elysium, a non-profit 501(c) (3) organization founded in 1997, encourages working actors, artists and musicians to voluntarily dedicate their time and talent to children who are battling serious medical conditions. We provide artistic workshops in the following disciplines: acting, art, comedy, fashion, music, radio, songwriting and writing.

Please contact the organization at: info@theartofelysium.org