Only the freshest art for you, my friends
Some people leave their hearts in San Francisco; I left my artwork in San Rafael. If you’re in Northern California, now’s your chance to get a fresh look at it in person.
My altered book triptych “Bought & Paid For” debuts at Fresh Art 2019 tonight, a group show hosted by the Marin Society of Artists. I’m especially excited to be included in this show, because it was juried by Donna Seager of Seager Gray Gallery. Book arts are a specialty of hers. Plus, the gallery has brought book art to the Seattle Art Fair for the past few years, and I look forward to seeing the work of Lisa Kokin when they visit.
Work by Lisa Kokin at 2015 and 2019 Seattle Art Fair, from Seager Gray Gallery
I know some of you are reading this from somewhere in NorCal, so let me know if you visit Fresh Art 2019. Tag me on Instagram and Facebook when you post. The show is up until November 30th, but I’d suggest you make the trip before holiday traffic sets in later this month. Just trying to help you out.
Take ten for a last look at "The Red List"
I hate it when a whole month goes by, and then I realize I have like ONE DAY LEFT to do something important. Who needs that kind of pressure? So I figured you might appreciate a heads-up that “The Red List” is closing soon.
The endangered butterflies and moths disappear on November tenth, but you actually have only nine days left to see them. Ghost Gallery is closed on Mondays. So if you take ten minutes now to plan your visit, then you can take your time with my “Rare & Exquisite” series in person. After this coming week, you’ll have to fly south to see my work up close.
I’m excited to show my altered book triptych at “Fresh Art 2019” with the Marin Society of Artists! You might remember “Bought & Paid For” was in my solo show at the Northwest African American Museum. If you’re following my work from Northern California, your chance to see the washboard-mounted books is coming soon…
How to turn glass into gold: Lessons from a Netflix series
One day you’re blowing glass, minding your own business, and then Netflix makes you a local celebrity. Essentially, that’s what happened to Deborah Czeresko and the artists from “Blown Away.” But that was months ago: once the glass-making competition ended, all that attention died down. What do you do while you’re still hot, so to speak?
Get weird with it on an epic scale.
Deborah Czeresko’s “meat chandelier”, behind her & mentor William Gudenrath
Think about the idea you just knew wouldn’t fly, the stuff you thought was too weird for anyone but you and a couple other people. Do that. When else are you going to make a meat chandelier out of glass AND mock the “sausage fest” of a typical glassblowing studio?
Use the good stuff; hire great people.
For the glass artists, the Good Stuff would mean renting workspace, as well as hiring the assistants who are crucial to making their work. For me, it might be taking a master class at the Pratt Fine Art Center, plus hiring a caregiver to watch my youngest while I’m there. Or maybe I’d take the caregiver and my family with me to Miami while I network with galleries at Art Basel. Why not?
Believe (some of) the hype about yourself.
Sometimes the payoff looks like more gold in your bank account. But it could also be something more intangible, like support from new fans. Seattle contestant Janusz Pozniak said in a recent interview, “… Even if they aren’t in a position to financially support my work by purchasing a piece, they have encouraged me to continue doing what I love and not doubt myself.” That’s the kind of support creative people need when inspiration (or cash) is in short supply.