I decided to install something fun and cute in front of the house — my very own mini art gallery. It’s part of the trend of #freelittleartgallery, like a free library, but with ART. So far, I’ve informed people with armloads of books that the next best closest drop off is about 6 or 8 houses down the street, and this space is for creative works. I did make a FAQ placard because, well, I guess it wasn’t obvious with my mini sign, mini text, and mini easels. Now there is an IG page and a rose garden mini gallery website. It is a little old-school to make a physical space, but it also a little guerilla art since I just basically placed my stake out in the yard. It is a beacon of creative hope, too. Like any social experiment we’ll see if this shared art space will bring joy and smiles to the neighborhood… and the world.
yellow
Maybe I haven’t liked this color because “it’s not a flattering color for my Asian skin.” and well, it is associated with jaundice, being cowardly, the uneasiness of caution, and the “Yellow Peril.” FTS. Still, yellow also symbolizes happiness, the sun, and the third chakra of power. I’m going to rewrite my personal relationship narrative to YELLOW and see more of the latter.
I just finished watching season 2 of Cinemax: Warrior. It is totally full of swagger and Asian anti-hero bad-assery. I LOVE it. #brucelee #ah-toy. If you don’t know about the Chinese in San Francisco in the late 1800’s, read up: PBS American Experience: Chinese Exclusion Act. Turns out, this week in 1882, also marks the signing of this law into history, “that made it illegal for Chinese workers to come to America and for Chinese nationals already here ever to become U.S. citizens. The first in a long line of acts targeting the Chinese for exclusion, it remained in force for more than 60 years.”
Damn. That is a long time. As I watched the dramatized version of history, and compared the story to the last few months, it seemed like that animosity has not really changed in more than 100 years. Perhaps you’ve seen the reports of recent anti-AAPI hate crimes increase in the US. While the players and the reasons are different, the feelings of fear, anger, and hatred are still a threat to people just walking down the street or waiting for a bus. WTF.
If you are feeling even a bit of discomfort around this, imagine what it might be like to feel fear to just step outside or make a public post. You can download my recent print to create a discussion about this. I’m gonna say, “I can’t be yellow about being yellow.” Or, maybe check in on your Asian friends and neighbors. There’s a lot of fear and hostility out there, but I ask you to find it within yourself and others to reach out beyond a performative gesture, and #standwithasians.
showing up
Big moves. Small moves. I’ve done both in the past year since moving from MN to CA. However, lately I’ve been contemplating just showing up. It need not be dramatic. Sometimes it can be, though. Whatever makes you happy. Do that. Whatever helps another. Do that. Currently, it’s voting in the US — if you have the right to. I think that if you have the privilege to do so, then do it. Say what you need to say. Do what you need to do to vote. Help others if they need a ride, a translation, a companion to stand in line with… sometimes what might be simple, may need a push. If it takes more gumption than you envisioned, take a deep breath and do it anyway. Think of yourself as “gutsy." What would RBG do? What needs to be done. Here’s my contribution to the effort. Somedays just getting to the store for fresh veggies is a triumph. Other days, it could be raising your voice with others to make a difference. It takes guts and action. I hope you’ll join me.
Hi. hit pause. start again.
… and then 2020 was plunged into a parallel universe of apocalypse-ish disruption… pandemic, civil unrest, social upheaval… it is like the surface of “we’re ok-ness” cracked and the honest truth of how people REALLY are is laid bare for each of us to see, for good and bad. BAD | There is A LOT of suffering and unhealed-ness that just was covered up by the daily routine of societies, cultures, and mass groups in constant motion — working, grinding, always moving from one hustle to another — too busy to notice the neighbors who were not in the fray. Some people oblivious, some outright not caring, others just trying to keep up with the forward inertia of society. Then the giant hamster wheel STOPPED. It was thrown off its base, crashed out of the cage, and now free spinning out of control (not indefinitely, I hope). Some of us are freaking out, but some of us are are able to pause for a moment and see what is happening. Which leads me to… GOOD | Besides making time to learn about social justice and making time to help others have equal rights (yes, #BLM, #saytheirnames, and #DOYOURWORK), for many of us, especially Makers, this can be like a forced a time-out. A bubble cocoon of opportunity to work on our art and making. To reach out to others who are also creative and care about other concerned citizens. We can re-think and re-tool about how we show up in this world and for each other. I’m gonna do it thru art. More art. More making. I know it might be somewhat Pollyanna-ish, but that’s what I got, and where I’m gonna start. So, “hi.” I hope you are mostly ok. If not, let’s work on it getting better, together.
connect
… connections between people… but let's also meditate on connectivity between ideas… things & images. This leads to expansion, more inspiration, more expression, and finally an introspection that reverberates outwards to then revisit the internal self with yet more ideas to create and make…. there can often be cycles, symbols, signs, synchronicities, and (another S), serendipities involved in this creative process… I’ve been co-facilitating workshops with Christine Lu Singh , and I must say it’s been wondrous, magical, and yes, inspiring. When creating, the latter is key. Sometimes, I make just to make, and hope the tap of inspiration will “turn on”. Othertimes, I’m so inspired by a concept, whether initiated by an external genius, or the more ephemeral and occasionally elusive internal spark, that I must stop and sketch. AND THEN, sometimes, I create an “oeuvre” and I am happy. Then I think, maybe my joy will spark joy in others. So, Christine and I are embarking on sharing just such connectivity and creativity with others in the format of intuitive collage workshops. We’ll be presenting this at the Altitude Summit this spring in Palm Springs, CA. (OH YEAH!)
just make
Last year it was mostly the move from MN to CA, then it was adjusting to a new home in a new city, then it was the holidays… but there is always something. However, if I can remember to be present, I’ll just think of where my joy comes from and I’ll just make. This is a print that I assembled to appreciate my surroundings in California…
work|space
The expanding area art and creativity…work…space…. it’s not really work, though. Now that I think about it more, it is closer to createspace. And, as I mentioned in a previous post, why confine myself so much into one specific place? I realize that in my home there are separate areas for doing different activities, but maybe just as I have been meditating on the different parts of myself/myfamilylife/myworklife…myARTLIFE, it seems that it’s best for me when I can integrate these parts. For now my physical artistic life is expanding, and it’s not easily containable, and that’s ok.
studio is where the heart is
Just as I was headed towards an art routine — at least once a week — my studio space arrangement evaporated. The group experienced funding issues, and announced its sudden closing until further notice… (sad face.) While I was genuinely disappointed, part of me also accepted that this is merely a move in a different direction. I made arrangements to modify my membership/rent agreement, pick up my retail items, and advised myself to look beyond that space to other possible outcomes. As I was sitting in the empty cafe area, I saw a blinking neon key sign across the street. I had not noticed it before during the numerous previous visits. I googled “key symbolism”… “Keys are symbols of opening and closing.” I do love me a sign from the Universe.
Then, as the flow of time proceeded into the winter holiday season my regularly scheduled me-art-time derailed. I will concede that a dedicated space away from my home sphere is more productive, but at the same time not having a studio space should not stop me from creating more frequently. So, I’m somewhere between dedicated studio time with an arty community and creative solitude. I see the block that I imposed on myself by creating a rule of finding “just the right space.” Now, I’m thinking about a more nomadic approach to pack a bag (or two) of supplies&tools and make a mobile studio. I could do a tour of coffee shops, maybe a library… Over the last couple months, like Dorothy leaving OZ, I realized that studio/home is really in my own backyard, and that ultimately I can make it where I choose, because I bring my creativity with me wherever I go.
the power of an hour
At this time my arty adventures, blogging, creative pursuits…. are not a major source of income (I did sell a handful of pieces in the last month, so I can actually claim my art-work as a possible income stream - if only a droplet… for now.) So, I do have a day-job and other in-real-life-responsibilities (IRLRs) that require time, effort, and thought. However, while it seems there is no limit of these IRLRs, I have realized if I don’t make it a priority to heed my creative spirit (or my health, family, internal compass, ….) some terribly unbecoming behaviors will make themselves known. It became apparent to me that I needed to reclaim time for ME, MY ART, MY SOUL. Now I schedule at least one 1-hour self appointment in a week, to do something dedicated to my own art and well being. For example, on a weekday, I have recently made the effort to get up early, pack my art bag, and get to the art studio and spend ONE HOUR making, just me doing something creative. Then when my timer goes off, I pack it up, and drive to the office. I have found that this single sacred sixty minute self allowance brings joy and expansion of spirit. It is indeed true, “if mama ain’t happy, nobody gonna be happy.” I will concede that the initial preparation might need a push, but once it becomes more routine, the benefits leave me wondering why I didn’t figure it out sooner?! And then I think, what other wondrous hours/portals/opportunities await if I apply this to other areas in my life? …. to be continued….
FTS
In the last year, I noticed that I had been unconsciously obligating myself to do things that I thought were necessary…. and time consuming. I wondered why I didn’t have time to make art, or be creative, or just pursue more fun. One day the oracle of Instagram (again) showed me a little story about a person that said “FTS… and lived happily ever after.” I added the revised text to this print, and voila! a new mantra. So now, when I catch myself feeling my creativity in tension with another task, I consciously make the choice to move towards what serves the greater good, and often I tell myself this little tale and get making.
#makersgonnamake #fuckthisshit
hey whaaat?
new website! For so long I waited to have all the components ready to post, to set up, to sell, etc…. then on a spontaneous spark prompted by a divinely timed Instagram post via rockpaperscissorsgoods and rarepress I signed up for a printmaking class. This little bibi inspiration materialized (a self portrait perhaps?), and I’m in love again with paper arts! Since then, so many ideas have floated into my head and I became a member at a local art center to make and sell! It has been a lesson in just start, jump in, swim around, follow joy….
#makersgonnamake
