Mounting A Painting Onto A Wood Panel

May 09, 2017 in Studio, Tutorials, Oil Paintings

Hello folks, glad to have you back! Today I want to share with you my method for attaching finished paintings to their permanent wood panels.

I like to paint on oil-primed Belgian linen. It's a really finely made, super smooth surface which allows me to get into tiny detail in my works. I really like that it comes primed for oil painting in particular since it saves me a bunch of priming and sanding time as well as doesn't suck up the oil and make the paint dry too quickly. (I'll do a post about my linen soon, too)

Life! Aaargh!

May 07, 2017 in Adventure, Aloha, Artist Diary

What a week! I have been feeling that old saying, "when it rains, it pours!" These past ten days have been seriously teaching me the art of patience, which, as you can see, I was not exactly in the mood to learn right now ;)

My internet modem crashed Thursday of last week so I spent the weekend trying to figure out the most efficient use of the internet off my phone and at a local coffee shop for all my work all weekend. The new modem didn't arrive until Monday, which, of course, I was busy with the May Day workers' rights rally and my figure drawing session all day. Tuesday I was able to catch up a little bit online, and then Wednesday at noon as soon as I was sitting down to catch up, my computer crashed. Like completely crashed. Like reboot factory-settings type crash.

AWESOME!!

So after spending hours with customer support all afternoon and then having my most wonderful boyfriend, Tim, spend all night figuring out how to wipe clean and reboot my hard drive, I got to wake up Thursday to a 'brand new' computer. Trust me, it sounds way better than it is... blah!

The best part of my week was definitely my Friday morning hike! My friend Kyveli and I conquered the Kuliouou ridge in under four exhilarating hours. It's hard to be too upset at computer stuff when I can distract myself charging up to the top of th… — The best part of my week was definitely my Friday morning hike! My friend Kyveli and I conquered the Kuliouou ridge in under four exhilarating hours. It's hard to be too upset at computer stuff when I can distract myself charging up to the top of the world...

I am now in the process of re-uploading all of my programs, my entire operating system, and all pertinent photos and documents. Long story short, everything always takes twice as much time as one expects, so dear reader, this is the very best I could muster for this weekend's blog post.

Hopefully this offers a little peek into the life of a working artist, and shows that even if things look all nice and shiny form the outside, we all have unfortunate events to deal with and overcome. I'll be spending some extra hours at my desk this week to catch up on my admin work, but all in all, I'm just relieved that the internet is on and I didn't have to drop half a grand on a new computer.

And let this be a reminder to everyone to always, always have a backup hard drive..... or two!

Overlooking Hawai'i Kai on the left and the very end of Waikiki Beach on the far right during the descent. We could see the entire East side of O'ahu during this fantastic hike.

I know not everyone can just pop out and do hikes like these, but what are some other ways you like to unwind and reinvigorate? Leave me a note below!

originally posted: May 27, 2017

How To Clean Up After Oil Painting

May 02, 2017 in Studio, Tutorials, Oil Paintings

Welcome, fellow artist, to another Tutorial Tuesday! Today I am sharing how to best and most efficiently clean up your oil painting station. I strongly recommend taking 10-15 minutes to thoroughly clean up every time you finish.

For one, it's waaaaaaay easier and faster to just tidy up as you go rather than scraping dry paint. And for two, it will make your easel area more appealing to jump right back into whatever you're working on because it will be all neat and ready. I mean, I know when I'm struck with a bolt of inspiration the last thing I want to do is scrape paint for 20 minutes and potentially let my inspo fizzle out.

So here's a short vid all about my easy methods for keeping a clean palette and organized workspace that's super conducive to harnessing creativity. Enjoy!

originally posted: May 27, 2017

Honolulu Biennial Art Exhibit Visit

April 29, 2017 in Adventure, Aloha, Artist Diary, Artist Features, Inspiration

Today's Inspo Saturday features a diverse, multi-venue exhibit showcasing both international and local artists going on right in my backyard called the Honolulu Biennial! Yay! 'Cause if there's anything I love more than visiting an awesome art show, it's not having to travel far to enjoy that awesome art show ;)

The Biennial features mostly conceptual and installation artists from all around the Pacific ring and focuses heavily on the lives and tribulations of indigenous and migrant peoples, as well as a special emphasis on the all-too-real environmental impact man is having in this region. Although I'm being a big goober in front of this incredible art installation by Choi Jeong Hwa (pictured above), it is actually really upsetting to know that these were all loose buoys, ie giant pieces of floating trash, culled from the ocean surrounding the Hawai'ian Islands.

So come on a little tour of some of the highlights I saw from the three venues I visited so far. I'll make another post if I'm able to catch the rest... and if you're here with me on O'ahu, you have 'til May 8th to see it all for yourself!

>>Click any pic for a closer view!

Internationally renowned Japanese Artist, Yayoi Kusama, creates these amazing polka dot environments in galleries all over the world. Have you seen photos of those mirror polka dot/ pumpkin infinity rooms? Yep, that's her. From what I understand, she has been a voluntary patient at a mental health facility for years and something about creating the repetition of the circular patterns helps her deal with her own personal perceived instabilities.

Can you make me out in the pic on the right? I'm holding my guide copy just to be seen! The room, which was all set up with the trappings of a studio apartment, was really wild to be in, plus Tim and I lucked out by being the only ones visiting at a that time too. It's so different being INSIDE an exhibit rather than merely peering in from a roped off walkway. I really love that Kusama's works are all-encompassing experiences rather than voyeuristic.

Artist Chris Ritson is exhibiting his "biogenerative paintings" which are essentially living works that create themselves. Ritson makes simple armature for mushrooms or corallinales (basically ocean fungus) to grow upon and then shares his works as they continue to develop. I mean, how gorgeous is this living mold pictured above?!?

Viewing a collection of photos by Yuki Kihara was especially moving to me since I feel like they relate to the message I have been focusing on within my Bohemian Goddesses series.

This exhibit is a series of images of this very strong and handsome Native subject being harshly judged against traditional Anglo ideals of beauty which strongly harkens back to the horribly unjust and ridiculous practice of phrenology in the 18th and 19th centuries. Although we still have a long way to go in order to bring true equality throughout all of Earth's citizens, I feel like the world is finally starting to wake-up to this short-sighted and emotionally detrimental way of thinking, partially thanks to thought provoking commentaries like this.

A series of four textile robe-like creations created and compiled by artist Marques Hanalei Marzan, which "honors the four major gods of the Hawai'ian pantheon", was one of my favorite pieces. I love the ceremonial way in which he chose to exhibit them, and all the rich fabrics and various accessories really speak to my inner seamstress. Plus, any time I can learn more about the local history or lore is a total bonus for me!

These poignantly terrifying monoprint works by Alexander Lee highlight the detrimental testing of nuclear arms in French Polynesia. One can only imagine the scale of the harm done by these 'small tests.' It can really make one sick to one's stomach thinking about so much unnecessary destruction, both in the practice as well as the execution, and angry that testing of this nature is still going on worldwide.

A series of completely loaded down tiny boats throughout the main lobby turned out to be a very touching installation indeed.

I've always been in love with colorful trash junk because of the overly consumptive, human-nature, quirky personal-portrait type vibe that I feel when viewing mankind's day-to-day detritus.

Alfredo and Isabel Aquilizian created these trash boat sculptures in order to ask viewers, 'if you had to leave the only home you ever knew with very limited packing space - what would be your essentials?' Around the turn of the 19th century, thousands of migrant sugarcane workers boating to the plantations here on Hawai'i from all over the Pacific ring had to ask themselves that very tough question.

I saved the best (or at least, the brightest!) for last. When visiting the main hub of the show, I did not want to leave the pitch black room holding these three glowing chandeliers! They are so deep-sea-life in essence and in eerie-ness, however this exhibit is more a commentary on nuclear power rather than ocean health (even though the two are obviously related). Ken and Julia Yonetani created these uranium rich glass beads and then used them to replace all the original glass on these vintage chandeliers.

The glowing uranium is encased within the glass, but make no mistake - it is a highly dangerous compound, which I imagine would be pretty bad news should any of the little beads break. The chandeliers are meant to highlight each nuclear-powered country and help the viewer to see that although they are twinkly gems of beautiful amazingness and can be useful, what lies beneath is incredibly dangerous.

Hope you enjoyed the show as much as I did!

.... And aren't I quite the lucky girl to have such wonderful people to share these artsy experiences with!

Check out the Honolulu Biennial website [here] for tons more info about the venues, performances, and the artists' important messages. And feel free to leave me a comment if you went to the show, or at least feel like you did after reading my blog ;)

PS. Make sure you take the docent tour at The Hub on Ward Ave. if you can because there is so much more than meets the eye with these exhibits!

originally posted: April 29, 2017

Press :: No Model Lady Blog

April 28, 2017 in Artist Features, Artist Diary

Hooray! How exciting! This week I was featured on an awesome blog, No Model Lady, which is written by this super cool, counter-culture mom that I bet is even more of a riot in person than she is on her blog. Michele has this great dry wit, and even though I'm not a mommy (yet?), I have been totally digging her writing - as much for what she writes as how she says it!

I recently created a drawing of her son, Aidin, which I honestly feel is one of my best portraits yet, using graphite (pencil) and white conte. I actually managed to film the process, so if you enjoyed this week's drawing demo, you're in luck 'cause I'll have one of Aidin coming out soon too.

So pop on over and check out my feature and more about Michele's experience of having me draw this portrait for her right here.

originally posted: April 28, 2017

Cutie Pie Portrait Drawing Demo

April 25, 2017 in Pencil Portraits, YouTube Videos, Tutorials

I've got a super special treat for you folks today!! My very first portrait drawing demo video! I draw 'Cutie Pie' with various pencils and a white conte. You can find out all about the specific supplies used here.

Enjoy!

Any questions about my process you would like to see addressed in another demo? Leave me a comment!

originally posted: April 25, 2017

Let's Play 20 Questions

April 22, 2017 in Artist Diary, Adventure, Artist Features, Inspiration

Hello there fellow art lover! Today I am sharing a 20 question interview I recently gave to an old friend of mine who is getting her degree. Kayla Rainey is a super sweet and wisely ambitious lady who asked to interview me for one of her classes, and you'll see in the first question why I decided this was great Inspo Saturday material.

How to Attach Hanging Fixtures to Your Paintings

April 18, 2017 in Studio, Tutorials

Happy Tuesday folks! Today's blog is all about attaching sturdy fixtures to the back of your artwork, which every artist should know because no painting should ever leave your studio without being ready to hang. But it's super easy and a canvas (or wood panel in my case) should take no more than 15 minutes to prep for hanging once you've learned how.

Studio Tour :: Art Wall and Studio Storage

April 15, 2017 in Studio, YouTube Videos, Artist Diary, Inspiration

Welcome back to the studio! Last Tutorial Tuesday was the detailed tour of my painting station, with tips and examples on how to be efficient when creating artwork, and today I'm happy to show you the other half of my studio, which includes my inspo art wall and my teeny tiny office desk/supply area.

When I moved to Hawai'i in 2015 I was incredibly limited on what I shipped out here, plus we are pretty much tiny house living, so I have made it a point to stay very minimal and highly organized. Hopefully seeing my studio with these certain constraints can be an inspo for others' creative spaces as well!

PLUS, check out my very first tutorial ever all about creating the perfect art wall you see in the vid here.

Do you have any especially easy or effective ways to keep your creative space organized? Feel free to share in the comments!

originally posted: April 15, 2017