I'm not really crazy about any of these except "Pirate Queen", I'm one of those people that paints better than she draws oddly. Also started getting back into the swing of fashion illustrations, that comes pretty easy I guess, and am debating about taking up gouache -- since I hate watercolor -- but have been told it is equally annoying and difficult at times.
My uncle recently made a website for some of the paintings my grandma did in her later years, most while living in near us in Laguna. So I guess in a way she lives on www.helenkalvin.com. The first image there is of my old Balinese cat Sasha (best cat ever!...Sorry Milkshake)
My other grandmother did a lot of ceramics too (wish I had kept some), so I guess it sort of runs in the family.
Painting in oil on clayboard kind of sucks (way too absorbent), but somehow I managed to do this 18x24" piece in three days. Wish I had more accurate photos, but I think this is pretty close, and they'll have a nice silver frame around them soon. I'll be showing this at Garvey Gallery in late August.
Once upon a time I used to do fashion illustrations, in fact, quite a few to the point of it being silly. Some even got published in an Italian fashion magazine while I was in college. I also taught it for a while, despite not knowing a damn thing about sewing, and I'm still prone to stitching the sleeve onto the neck by accident. Mostly I just wanted to draw ridiculous outfits I wish I owned. People always complimented me on them, and like the dickhead I am, I'd say, "what, these things? Oh honey I can make up fashions on the toilet, it ain't anything special".
I stopped doing these after a while, simply because I thought they weren't very good, just something to do while watching TV really. Actually, I stopped doing fashion illustration after I had an art show of 24 of them when I first moved to Cleveland -- that didn't go so well, for reasons I won't go into here. I also had my time wasted when asked to draw up some fashions for the students at Virginia Marti to create during a show. Well, apparently sewing a lingerie inspired outfit, or a kimono, was too hard for them and they couldn't deal with the fabrics I chose (a kimono is the easiest pattern ever on the face of the planet next to a loin cloth to sew btw). So, I don't know, maybe it wasn't that I thought my drawings sucked, maybe it was dealing with bullcrap that soured me on it.
So, here are some images I found in my computer, some have sold, others are on display at Gina's Gallery in Cleveland (along with quite a few other designs actually, so check 'em out if you can). I guess they're kind of cute, eh?
I decided to buy some more art for my pad. Now, I'm not really a photography person, but I have been following Troy Paiva -- aka "Lost America" -- and his night photography for quite a while and decided to buy one or two of his prints. I love old signage of motels and desert scenes (I was so bummed the neon graveyard in Vegas was closed while there last) as well as bombed out looking buildings with glorious crown moldings, so I'm still trying to do decide. These are open edition prints made to order, so you can pretty much pick any image and get it...
Hmm, can't decide.
I'm starting a band, it is called Black Wolf Vietnam Fuck Mountain -- a name that is very now don't you think?
It is just me and a gal pal so far; anytime a chick band pops up people pay attention because it is oh-so rare you know. Especially a female bass player or drummer. But if you are a guy with a scuzzy half-grown beard, you can join too, and maybe write some songs about how you'd rather knit than get laid. Maybe you'd rather write songs about how you're actually sort of scared of girls, or how bummed you are the indie-tastic chick at Starbucks didn't give you as much foam on your latte this time because she's got her eye on the new bike messenger dude.
See, this band is already built and designed for a purpose from the get-go: to make it baby! You'll see us at CMJ and Pitchfork Fest in no time. All we need now are t-shirts with an 80s retro twist, and some limited edition cheap crappy CDRs to sell at shows; the hidden track can be the sounds of my air conditioner turning on and off, or my cat crying on loop, which ever.
My husband is going to be our manager, so already that creates "conflict" and tension when on tour which is what all young bands today need. His job as manager of course will be to buy our chicken sandwiches at Wendy's, and negotiate how much free beer we get at each venue for playing.
I don't know why I left Hollywood sometimes; I'd make a great junior VP hack at any network, Development chick, or reality show producer.
I rather like the few pieces of art I've been able to collect thus far, it is nothing like my own, and I do it sparingly because I hate clutter on my walls. I'd like to get my hands on several things really; I just wish I had a better income when working at a gallery in L.A., as it was a friggin' art history candy store of fashion illustrations, pop art, set designs, lithographs and etchings I would have enjoyed a bunch. I still kick myself for not grabbing an Albrecht Durer woodcut for $1200 (although it could have easily been a fake). Ah well, I have good taste and sucky finances. So besides my own crap, I thought people would like to see the stuff I have hanging around. This does not include rock posters however, these are just the originals and limited edition fine art prints. Click on each photo for the description...
these photos have nothing to do with art really, I just thought they were funny because my friend Veronica took some on Saturday; the vintage Seventeen Magazines are a constant source of entertainment and the new Sabertooth Tiger skull on my coffee table is really fun...
Turning 30 was not so fun. Well it still isn't fun, as I find I am particularly uninspired for the time being and put away all my art supplies for a while. I'm the gal that cried when she turned 22, so yes -- I am that depressed about it. On my birthday, husband asked if I wanted to go hit Heavy Metal karaoke night. My response was something like, "but people might say I'm too old for a chick to be in a place like that and they'll laugh at me". I had a little party with friends, and as I dressed for it, I realized I looked like one of those Telemundo M.I.L.F. women who host the "news". Big hair, leopard print everything, and spike heels (which were quickly changed into something more mild). All I was missing were the hoop earrings and the French manicure accented with diamond tennis bracelets. Christ. I always had a fear of being one of those vulgar women that tries too hard to act younger than she is; granted part of me will always be vulgar in different ways -- it is just who I am. At least I've now made peace with certain aspects of my personality; thank God I surround myself with friends who either compliment these aspects, or are just really forgiving...perhaps entertained even.
So I've reached a point of panic as it were. I got marriage out of the way; am never having kids; don't need to think about climbing the corporate ladder; so then what really? My choices popping in my head were things like getting another tattoo; buying a motorcycle; giving up art; starting a gallery; going crazy Vanishing Point style; getting a Master's degree; moving to another state yet again; or buying property. Well, I have made some appointments to look at condos -- yes I may actually tie myself to one location -- so it is kind of scary but I figured I'm at a point where I should own some real estate and it happened that hubster got a promotion this week. What I'll do for a down payment is another matter, but when a mortgage is less than my current rent, it only makes sense to try. Suburbia here I come!
Shows and stuff on the eastern front...
June 13th - Jul 5th: Artspace Member's Group Show @ Wooltex Gallery in Cleveland, Ohio. Gallery hours, 11am-3pm Wednesday - Saturday.
June 20th: Group show @ Artery 717 in Alexandria, VA. Live portrait painting by Emma O'Rourke of the Corcoran College -Auctioned work benefiting Children's Hospital Foundation. Reception 7pm-11pm
June
30th:
"Ladies First" travels to Crybaby
Gallery, Asbury Park, NJ.
Opening Night is Saturday July 12th from 7:30pm onward.
Jul 11- Aug 14th: “Identity Theft: Is Comic Book Art Really ‘Fine’ Art ?” @ The Mill Gallery, Guilford CT. This exhibition will include comic books and graphic novels renowned for their social commentary as well as more familiar examples. I hear Storm Troopers will be on hand opening night. Curator: Chris Uminga Opening Reception: July 11, 5-7 PM
Here's my piece for the comic show...
Wow, I really don't know where to begin on this whole crazy weekend to Michigan. What started out as just a trip to Grand Rapids for a 5k turned into a beer fest of sorts. I'm glad I stuck to my new little program of "smart drinking" where I can enjoy many beers and yet not get hungover at all. But that's a class I'll teach someday. Anyways, be sure to click the photos below for descriptions.
At first on the way to Grand Rapids we stopped in Ann Arbor for lunch, remembering how expensive and overrated Zingermann's is now, we opted for a Whole Foods off the freeway. I was constantly worried about running into people I didn't want to see, and realized I just cannot move back there for whatever reason unless offered a job of $100,000 or more year. I like a certain level of "smug" but A2 has gotten out of control. Stops at Outlet Malls and such were had, and we checked into a rather nice Travelodge once outside Grand Rapids. My husband likes the bear a lot...
The Brian Diemer 5k was the next day, so we decided to drive around and find food in the downtown area as neither of us had ever been to Grand Rapids. I'd say it compares to Akron pretty much, but with a few nicer restaurants. Anyways, it was easy to spot where we'd be eating -- The Hop Cat -- mostly because the second I saw the sign my exact words were, "KITTY KITTY KITTY!" It was a damn fine place, with extensive beer list and really good food. Mister is still talking about that "Killer Mac and Cheese"...
"if your path isn't righteous, your destination is gonna be crap"
"I'm trying to be the sensible drunk", "if you were, you'd be telling us to drink more!"
"your purple tiger stripes are beautiful, I want my children to have purple tiger stripes...just. like. you"
"we need 3 more bars, and some Gin and Tonics"
"I think we need a cab"
"I don't think there should be women drivers"
"We should leave, because there's gonna be a fight, and I think you might get in the way"
"We can cut in line, they won't beat us up because you ran under 17 minutes today"
"It looks spooky that direction, and there's some cops, and a domestic violence dispute"
"it is a 2 mile walk...okay no, 50 meters"
"you are vegetarian and run 3 miles a day, you don't have gout", "no, I'm pretty sure I have gout"
"Alright you monkeys, I'm in charge now and we're walking this direction!"
"Bella Vendetta, Bella Vendetta, Bella Vendetta...have a granola bar"
"I'm cranky, I'm sobering up, and it is raining on me -- I hate Michigan"
"I'm taking you to Appalachia, Appalachia in Kalamazoo"
"Be careful, the neighbor wears jeans, and has only one eye"
"Are you guys okay? Do you need coffee? A sandwich? Vegan gummy bears?"
"I want peanut butter, and popcorn...I want a peanut butter and popcorn sandwich"
Yeah. So that was our trip. Not bad for 2 days in Michigan to attend a 5k race, huh?
