Thursday, June 14, 2012

Painting Drop-Off at Staten Island Museum

Outside Staten Island Museum
We went to Staten Island Museum last Tuesday to drop off my painting for the Juried Art Exhibition 2012. We had never been in that area before so it was a new adventure for us. After taking care of the drop off, we strolled around at the museum. The museum was really neat and a perfect size for me to have a chance to see everything there without feeling rushed. The first floor includes an exhibit about the Staten Island Ferry, and exhibits about natural science like plants, insects, birds, shells, archaeology, and mineralogy. The ground floor exhibit is "Lenape: The First Staten Islanders."  The second floor was closed at that time for installation of the juried exhibition I am honored to be part of.

Juried Art Flyer outside the Museum
Artifacts from Lenape Collection Exhibition


The Miss New York  (with little people!)
The Diver Man (Mark 5)
A Victorian Shadow Box
Eggs of the great blue heron (left), common loon (middle), and American crow (right)





Agate
minerals glowing under UV light
Imperial volute (top), argus cowrie (middle) and spiny murex (bottom)
Green turban (top), episcopal miter (middle), and red-mouthed olive (bottom), and spider conch (right)
Sunrise Tellin
Pearly Top Shell
Helmet Shell with Cameo Carved into Surface



Staten Island Borough Hall
On leaving the museum, we asked the woman at the front desk where else she thought might be interesting to walk to nearby, and she recommended for us to see some recently restored murals at the Staten Island Borough Hall.

Hello, Ben Franklin :-)
Frederick Charles Stahr - Conference at Billop House, Tottenville, 1776
Frederick Charles Stahr - Fight at St. Andrew's Church, 1776
Frederick Charles Stahr - British Troops Evacuate Staten Island: December 5, 1783
Frederick Charles Stahr - First Railroad, Clifton to Tottenville, 1860
Frederick Charles Stahr - Bayonne Bridge Under Construction, 1928-1931
Frederick Charles Stahr - Henry Hudson Anchors off "Staaten Eylandt," 1609
Frederick Charles Stahr - Cornelius Melyn Trades With the Indians
Frederick Charles Stahr - Huguenot Settlement on Staten Island
View of the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge

We ended our day by making a stop at this Mexican restaurant Taqueria El Gallo Azteca, This place wasn't one of those hip places to hang out, but their foods were so good. Everything tasted so fresh and was properly spiced. The best part was the price - so cheap:)  Saying goodbye to Staten Island with our full tummies and bracing ourselves for the cruel traffic.

Various tacos (pastor, lengua, pollo, and Azteca) with yummy salsa verde at Taqueria El Gallo Azteca



Monday, June 4, 2012

Hello June - Artwork, Bushwick Open Studios and Some Miscellaneous Photos

I have been catching up with works since my return from Indonesia. Glimpses of beautiful memories from Bali kept visiting my mind, though at some point I would have to pull myself away from daydreaming of relaxing with rice field view in front of me...

Things happening in the studio:

☺I got awesome news that my painting will be part of Staten Island Museum's group exhibition this month (opening reception June 28th from 6-8pm)

☺I just started on two new paintings. The previous ones still need some love but they're almost done. I will share progress shots of the new ones soon.

☺Quick snapshots of my almost finished painting and my experiment with small sculptures


a work in progress - almost done
We went to visit Martin Wittfooth's studio in Bushwick, Brooklyn last Sunday. It was part of Bushwick Open Studios event, so there were also other artists in the building opened their studios for viewing.

Martin just moved to this new studio and from what I could see, the place was perfect. It is so spacious and  has tons of light. You can feel the great creative energy when you steps in there.
His studio is surrounded by some new paintings he's working on for his solo show at Corey Helford Gallery in September, so I couldn't share those images here. Most of the paintings are quite different from the ones exhibited on his last solo show at Lyons Wier Gallery. All I can say is his solo show will be an another great one:)







Also stopped by to check out Adam Miller's studio next door. Adam is a contemporary figure painter who had an extensive training in classical painting.  Impressive works can be found around his cozy studio space.




Then checked out an art installation by Jae Song , who presented a single piece of 16mm film that loops around 2 projectors to create a conversation between a past and future self.
It was quite fascinating to see and definitely piqued my curiosity.


Stopped by at Alexandra Pacula's studio and had a nice chat with her. Her work captures the atmosphere of the city at night. You need to take the time to view each painting to see the magic in it. Each light has different shapes and gives form to an illusion of magical spirits that occupy the city:)

The beautiful artist with her paintings
Next adventure was Andrew Cornell Robinson's studio. We were welcomed by this warm and friendly artist who introduced us to his fascinating works that included ceramics, sculpture, and work on paper. He shared  a story of how he got the inspiration of creating multiple small ceramics after seeing interesting shapes he created from his fist. One example that inspiration can be from anywhere as long as you keep working.

His positive energy and passion are contagious. I saw visitors leaving his studio with happy faces, including me and DH.  Glad I could visit his cozy studio filled with creativity.







Interesting shapes from his fist:)
We got so hungry afterward and decided to take a walk around Bushwick to find a place for early dinner.  We found this yummy Peruvian restaurant, Chimu Express. I love properly spiced food, so this place got approval from my tastebuds. The portion was so generous that I had to ask the waiter to box my dessert to go. It was already a bit late after we finished dinner and we didn't want to be on the road after dark, so we decided to go home. There were still so many studios in Bushwick that I wish I could see; if only I lived closer.

Medio pollo, arroz frito, y ensalada for me; aji de Gallina for DH; and chicha morada to share at Chimu Express
The weather was really weird that day. Sunny but rainy and breezy.
Pretty rainbow started to show in Bushwick
Then double rainbows!