I guess it’s a little bit of a no brainer that YACHT is my number one for 2010. I blasted this song on repeat when I was in the final stretch of finishing my work for Momentum Tulsa Spotlight. I’m pretty sure all of my neighbors know just how much I love YACHT. It only felt right that the screen print process video I made is set to an instrumental version of “The Afterlife” (see below).
And, a special announcement…
This weekend my studio will be one of nine on Tulsa Art Studio Tour. To thank all of those who will be visiting, I’m having a print sale! All of my prints will be 30% off of their normal prices and scuffed and/or dented prints will be 50% off. I’ll be selling some other goodies as well! I hope to see you all there!
Tulsa Art Studio Tour
April 9th & 10th, noon–5pm each day
visit tulsaartstudiotour.org for the addresses of all the studios!
The Drums’ “Let’s Go Surfing” came to me by way of Pitchfork* all the way back in Fall 2009. I downloaded the track and listened to it on repeat because it was cold and gloomy and the song really made days more bearable. I put the song on one of my favorite monthly mixes, and consequently played it in my car throughout the rest of 2010 (it’s still in there and I still listen to it!). The Summertime EP and their self titled debut are a couple of my favorites from this past year, keeping me company while I worked on my Momentum Spotlight project.
*might be Stereogum, but that’s kind of irrelevant, no?
Ah, Sleigh Bells. A constant companion while graining stones or working on my last prints at Tamarind. I don’t know if there’s much I can say about this that the music doesn’t say itself. I’m super excited to see them (and Neon Indian!) at Cain’s Ballroom in June!
My obsession with “Genius of Love” came about when I was at Tamarind. UNM was showing Stop Making Sense at the student theater and a few of us went to see it. Amazing film, but surely that goes without saying. Post Stop Making Sense, “Genius of Love” was cemented in my head for a solid month. It got a lot of play after that!
Guys, I’m really going to make an effort this year. I lack a lot of discipline for someone who has to self motivate and that really needs to change. Honestly, I don’t know how I’m going to do it, but recognizing it and admitting it is a good first step, right?
One of my major goals for 2011 is to make my art practice a daily thing. Whether this is time spent sketching, painting, printing or reading/writing about art, it doesn’t really matter. I need to make room for this in my schedule because my work is suffering. I also need to recognize that spending countless hours online “researching” is not actually research. Blog posting is okay because it forces me to sit down and think about what I’m posting, why I’m posting it and at least opens things up to discussion (whether or not anyone comments on it is another thing, but hey, at least it’s out there). That said…
I don’t know where this is going, but the whole point of making preparatory works is to experiment right?
Every time I come back to this blog, I always have to remark at how long it’s been. Yes, it’s been a long time. I can’t offer any apologies about this because 2010, in short, has been nothing but overwhelming. 2010 has brough me some incredible opportunities but it has also been a struggle. There have been so many personal issues, family issues, health issues that I’ve dealt with this year (and am continuing to deal with) that have had a huge impact on my life. I won’t go into them here (it’s an art blog, afterall), but the end of 2010 has left me feeling a little lost, a little less motivated and full of questions about what exactly it is I want to persue. Instead of dwelling on these things and letting them take control of 2011 as well, I’m going to put them behind me and start fresh.
Anyway, the momemt you’ve all been waiting for, here is my quick Year in Review…
First exhibition of the year – Tulsa themed screen prints at Dwelling Spaces.
Second semester and graduation from Tamarind. An unforgettable experience that requires many more words than I can muster.
Momentum Tulsa Spotlight! Not including time for brainstorming and planning, this was four straight months of working, culminating with my favorite Tulsa art event – Momentum. There’s a lot more about the project on my website – http://electrofervor.net/v14/index.php?/prints/american-dreaming/ – including links to my video interview.
New additions to the studio, most notable the $20 flatfiles. Many many thanks to my friends with trucks and strong arms for helping me move everything into place.
Not pictured–
exhibition at the Canebrake
Indie Emporium
IAO Red Dot
Living Arts Champagne & Chocolate Gala
Philbrook Print Action
my threepeat internship with Cubic
I am so so thankful for the people I’ve met this year, the people who have stayed with me and the people who continue to support me despite whatever crazy issues I might be battling. I couldn’t do it without you all!
My show at The Canebrake comes down next Sunday (September 26th), so you still have some time to check it out!
They’re located in Wagoner, OK and if you ever have a chance to check out their Sunday brunch, I highly recommend it!
33241 East 732nd Road
Wagoner, OK 74467
Momentum Tulsa is coming up on October 9th! This year I am a Spotlight artist, along with the wonderful Tara Najd Ahmadi and Sherwin R. Tibayan. This year there are extended gallery hours until October 23rd (Tues & Weds, Sat & Sun: 1–5pm; Thurs & Fri: 1–9pm) so if you miss the big event you can still enjoy the art.
It all goes down on October 9th, 8–Midnight at Living Arts 307 E. Brady
Tulsa, OK 74120
tickets are $7 in advance, $10 at the door and are available at Dwelling Spaces or Lovetts Gallery
charge by phone – 405.879.2400 or visit the website – momentumoklahoma.org
Kathryn Benson (One Room Schoolhouse Crafts) and I will be sharing at table at this year’s Indie Emporium! Come by and see us on October 29th & 30th at VFW Post 577 (1109 East 6th Street). I’ll update with more info as I get it!
