Right and Ruined

I've been working on my next body of work, the ruin-ruin again-ruin again concept. Here is a painting that started as a colorful, abstract thing I really liked. Then I ruined it with some dried acrylic pieces attached with woven silver wire. Now I'll ruin it again with these strands of seeds (they're just placed on the painting right now so I can get an idea of composition).

After writing the other day, I went ahead and sent my notice to the Point to Point crew that I won't be able to help organize the next event. It feels good to prioritize my own creative work. As I said in my letter to them, strike while the iron's hot.

It felt good to step back. Even better has been making contact with two new artists in the neighborhood who want to get involved in Point to Point. I love how the ebb and flow of organizers and participants seems to be working as intended. In our original concept, Point to Point will hopefully become a self-sustaining event. Step up when possible, step back when needed.

On Point

Once again I'm reminded that the things I'm good at aren't always the things I want to spend my time doing. Back in Moz, this was the conclusion I came to about writing proposals for development projects. I could write a kick-ass proposal and get projects funded, but I always felt sick and burned out (when doing the work, as well as in general). When you are self-employed, your work affects your person so much.

Now, I'm feeling sick and burned out again. When this happens, it's time for an adjustment. Sometimes it's in the life side, sometimes in the professional realm, more often both.

I've been doing a lot of travel recently - two weeks ago Rico and I went to St. John in the US Virgin Islands for the wedding of my longtime friend Mark (who was also one of our groomsmen, and met his girl when he went traveling after attending our wedding in Rio). I also went to Albuquerque to hang out with my dad for a lighting quick couple of days. Then over the weekend my best friend Angel came to Casa Cali with her man, and we celebrated her birthday and went wine tasting in Sonoma. In all, a solid period of vacation with a couple manic work days tossed in the mix.

It gave me time to think. I managed to figure out what's got to give, and now I have the task of making those changes. Not always fun, but feels so good afterwards.

Over the last year I've been co-organizing a community arts event called Point to Point Richmond. It has been an incredible grassroots experience, and I've met so many of my fellow artists here. I've put a huge amount of volunteer energy into launching Point to Point, and for that I have no regrets. But I'm at a point (ha, ha) where the balance is off, it's taking my focus and my time away from the work my gut is demanding be made. So I am majorly stepping back.

I feel strongly that it's time to be in my studio. I've received many custom requests for jewelry pieces and repurposed heirloom work, and I'd like to be able to say yes to those. I am also wanting to paint more, and do figure drawing, and experiments with enameling. I want to make weird work, wall pieces that I deliberately ruin, and then ruin, and then ruin again and see what's happened. I want to work with the rusted railroad steel I collected here at Ferry Point. Practice my sketching.

When I feel a gut-level pull to the studio that can't be ignored, I know it's not just about the work. It's connected to personal growth, relationships and decisions outside the studio. Diving into the art helps me take the steps I want to in life.

I want to have art dates with my friends. I want lazy weekends where I can sit around and do nothing, but also get laundry done and some prep cooking for the week. I want to train with Hilary for another 10k, and then possibly a 10 mile run next year. I want to hang out with family, and also to travel. Reclaim our yard. Design a churrasqueira with Rico. Take a nap every once in a while.

The exciting thing to me is that I believe I can do these things and also my studio work. Having the gallery open fits in, too, as long as I have some help. But all of this plus major community organizing does not add up. Actually, I guess it over-adds up because the feeling is a whirling, unfocused cloud of pending stuff. Overwhelm for sure. So it's time to take a step back, and deal with all the feelings and fallout that come with that. Hopefully it will be smooth, and if not, at least lead to some interesting art.

Craft and Cats and Point to Point

That's what seems to rule my photo stream these days.

Point to Point Richmond is this Saturday and we have two new pop-up guest artists who will be showing their work (Wei Lah Poh and Tony Esola).

We're also preparing a make-your-own prayer flag activity using hand-dyed samples from my textiles classes stitched to sail cloth, ready for embellishment by participants.

Here's my trusty assistant Marie sewing amid a desk full of CLUTTER.

Thankfully that desk situation is a little more under control this week. When my work environment is clear, my mind can be creative with more ease. The challenge is my process, which involves making a mess, creating different compositions, spreading materials around all over the place. Here's a new series of Mozambique Island shipwreck trade bead necklaces I made recently. I'll be debuting them at the Ali Amaro Gallery for Point to Point.

Maybe one of these guys can help me get a handle on the organizing. After all, they're good with laundry and tablecloths!

July Point to Point Richmond Recap

Thanks to everyone who came to this month's Point to Point Richmond. We had a triple lineup at the Ali Amaro Gallery and Design Studio: we celebrated jewelry by pop-up guest artist Alyse Lattanzio, enjoyed colorful face paint masterpieces by Brandy Esparza of Painted Wonderland, and jammed to live acoustic music by the Blue Ribbon Healers.

Helping create a hub along our block, 39 Washington Emporium of Cool Stuff brought out some funky vintage treasures, plus Richard's one-of-a-kind art car. I got to sit in it and pose for some photos, which was very cool. Across the street Steve had guest artists and clocks galore, and the new furniture and jewelry shop Maison d'Etre opened their doors for a sneak peak.

My one regret is that I wasn't able to make the rounds this time and check out what my creative neighbors and friends were doing around town. A tree limb fell on my car halfway through the event, leaving me and Alyse to hold down the fort at the gallery while Rico took care of that little situation. Amazingly there was no damage to my car. Thanks, universe! It was a fun and memorable day!

Fraudulent Booker

Someone used my business credit card to try and purchase $1,400 worth of tickets on a travel site called e-booker.com.

When the bank called to notify me of the fraudulent activity, I heard e-Hooker.com. Hehe.

Either way, someone's plans for a real good time were spoiled because the charge was blocked.

Now I'm having the fun experience of getting a new account, reconfiguring all of my auto-pays, and catching attempts at additional fraudulent activity (even though my card has already been canceled).

On top of training an assistant, watching World Cup, helping organize Point to Point, working on a bunch of custom orders (yay!), working out, and generally hustling a hard hustle.

The life of an entrepreneur...the good, the bad, and the hectic!

Pressure! 

Portugal Street Art

Along with worn surfaces and old doors, street art is my favorite thing to photograph while traveling. You can understand a bit more about the people and issues of a particular place based on these images. Here are some of the street art standouts from Portugal, with major props to the Fado-themed murals lining the alleyways and hidden staircases of Lisbon's Mouraria neighborhood:

Join Point to Point Richmond - Solstice Edition

Dear Neighbors, Friends, and Collaborators,

We invite you to participate in our new monthly community Pop-Up event, each third Saturday through September. Our intention is to inspire locals to re-discover and re-imagine the Point through creative collaboration. We encourage interactive and unexpected experiences, so visitors will be drawn in with a sense of curiosity and adventure. There’s no cost or required commitment to participate.

Simply identify your venue that day with a large red dot and take this opportunity to present something new and unexpected or offer something familiar in an unusual way. Share your space with other artists, performers, entrepreneurs, musicians, or chefs to combine resources and forge new partnerships for the fun of it.

An initiative of local artists, we created Point to Point as volunteers and do most of our promotion and organizing via word of mouth. The event is not directly affiliated with any organization, but is supported by anonymous donations and members of the Arts of Point Richmond, the Point Richmond Business Association and other local groups and non-profits.

We invite you to participate again, or for the first time, on Saturday, June 21st from 2-6pm where more red dots will be connected, pop-up art installations will be discovered, music will be appreciated, interactive booths will be experienced, games will be played, and food will be enjoyed. And please help spread the word by placing signs in your windows and promoting the event on-line, via social media, and in marketing your own coinciding events.

To get on the map please fill out our Google form, where you can also share your venue or find an artist, and receive periodic updates: goo.gl/U1T1QG For more information there is an FAQ on our website and contact form for comments/questions.

We also wish to express a heartfelt thank you to those who have already participated in Point to Point as a venue, exhibitor, performer, or supporter. Your enthusiasm, open minds, and creative selves are truly appreciated. It’s been great getting to know each other better, experiencing fresh art and music, and above all - building community. We’ve had lots of positive feedback and have posted photos on our Facebook page.

Thanks,
The Point to Point Crew

Like us at: Facebook.com/Pt2PtRichmond
Follow us at: Twitter.com/Pt2PtRichmond
www.Pt2PtRichmond.com

Point to Point Richmond

Lately I have been very involved in community organizing. New artists and businesses have teamed up with the old guard, and some fantastic grassroots ideas have come together. We all want to see something fresh, legitimately fun, and creative to celebrate our quirky community. After a series of brainstorming sessions, Point to Point Richmond was born.

The kickoff event is this Saturday, May 10th from 2-6pm. I will be hosting several performers and a booth at the Ali Amaro Gallery (which, I was excited to note, already has red dots happening in the decor!).

I am looking forward to the first Point to Point, and to the event evolving as we go forward. The plan is to have monthly celebrations: the next one will be on June 21st, the summer solstice. More soon!

10 Things I Love about the Bay Area's Hidden Gem

View of Oakland and Point Richmond taken from a plane window in 2013.

Here's 10 of the many reasons why Point Richmond is the best:

1. Small town feel where neighbors know each other, like each other (for the most part), and look out for each other.

2. Tons of history, from the railway to Ferry Point to the WWII Homefront and Rosie the Riveter.

3. Cute, walkable streets and a downtown full of independent shops and restaurants.

4. Waterfront location with beautiful parks, trails, and beaches.

5. Characters galore. This is not a homogenous or predictable place when it comes to the residents.

6. Calm, serene feel. Almost island-like. And yet you are 10 minutes from BART and 20-30 minutes driving to Oakland and San Francisco.

7. Convenient access to some of Northern California's best nature and sights (Marin, redwoods, Napa, Point Reyes and lots more).

8. A great summer concert series.

9. Arts! There are so many artists here, I feel like every day I meet or hear of someone new. I'm excited to be part of this scene as a maker, gallery owner, collaborator, and organizer. If you are ever in town, come check out the Ali Amaro | Art Jewelry & Objects showroom at 41 Washington Ave., right across from the Hotel Mac.

10. Great weather. Lots more sunshine and not as much fog compared to most other parts of the Bay Area. Plus it's never too cold or too hot.