Queer the Art.

Last Friday, I got to celebrate the opening of LGBTQ Youth and Family Advocacy's first art show "Queer the Art" at Show and Tell Concept Shop in downtown Oakland. It was a really great event with an awesome turnout (even mayor Quan showed up!). The slightly blurry picture above was posed for the SF Bay Times, who was there to report on the event--I'll link to the article here as soon as it's posted!


Me with my drawing of Carolyn "Cubby" Berk from Lovers. The piece on my right (your left) was created with makeup! Pretty cool stuff.

Jennifer Mullen from La La Valentine was kind enough to include me in her write-up about the show, which you can read here. It was really exciting to be able to talk to her about my inspiration behind the piece and the process behind it. I'm hoping to get more opportunities to speak with art bloggers and other peers about my work in the future--I can be pretty shy and soft-spoken in general, so with each interview I have, I think I can become more confident about it.


That's Lena on the right, my friend from SF State and curator of the show. In the middle is Oakland's mayor, Jean Quan. Lena had a great piece in the show that was an awesome spoof on how Pride parades are viewed by more narrow-minded people...I still need to upload my picture of it but I'll get it up here soon.

EDIT: Here it is! "Straight Pride Parade" by Lena Gallagher.

My mom came all the way up for the opening, which was icing on the cake. She's really great about taking an active interest in my work, which means a lot to me since she's never been a huge art aficionado. That's a picture of us with Ocean Beach in the background. I know she took some pictures as well(what moms do best), and there should be more from SF Bay Times coming soon--stay tuned for those!

Art Attack.

Long time no post, my apologies. In a little less than two weeks, this show will be opening. It will be the first time I show most of, if not all of my recent work from this past year. I am excited beyond belief. It was one of my main goals to have a big show on my roster by this year, and I consider this a quality stepping stone. I'm really hoping for a good turnout for both Amanda and myself. I don't think I'm going to sell many of my original drawings until I've created a lot more, but if the offer strikes, we'll see.

Last week, I started my new full-time job as an editor and customer service representative for the Gathering Guide company. I am really enjoying it so far--particularly having regular weekends again and a set schedule. I am realizing how this will affect my art-making time, and I think as long as I can manage my time well, things should keep running smoothly. I have yet to get further along on my craft/yarn-concentrated series of work, but here's the first drawing of that bunch:

Going to try and get that one knocked out this weekend; I'd really like to have it in the show. Thanks to Rooney Mara for involuntarily playing model.

Also, I know the details are on the flyer, but here are the details of Art Attack's opening reception:

2601 Mission Street, Wix.com (3rd floor)

Reception: 7-10 p.m.

Incentives: Food, wine, beer, awesome art, music, fun times.

P.S. I'll do my best to be there for the duration of the reception, please say come out and say hi!

Am I seriously ready to paint again?

Surrounded by a vast array of black & white prints and graphite drawings, I find myself missing the action and peril of painting. This year has been a big jump for me in terms of subject, concept and concentration. I feel unlimited as an artist with an illustrative bend. I have ideas now that defy the bristol pad or sketchbook, and are more suited for a canvas or wood panel. I'm excited to translate some of the drawings I've made to finished paintings, as I think they'll convey more depth and be more suited for showing.

I do think that I really needed this break from painting to put everything in perspective. I am happy that art was not a school-age fad for me, and that it still remains one of my most important areas to pursue. A couple of my New Year's resolutions are to get into a show at an independent gallery in San Francisco, and to possibly have a solo show in the East Bay or San Francisco by the end of next year. I also want to be able to explain the way I work in a unified, concise way, even if my subject matter varies greatly. I want to talk and befriend other illustrators and get a sense of their approach to a general statement. How anyone effectively puts themselves on paper is a skill that is still beyond me at this point.

I've always felt that the act of painting is a very serious activity if you let it become that way. It really does involve the entire body. I'm looking to bring the sense of awareness, alertness and energy that accompanies this medium back into my practice.