Second Place at an Art Exhibit!!

My recent painting ‘Splendorifica’ just won second place at an art show at the d’Art Center in Norfolk, VA! Which was even more shocking considering I didn’t enter the art show as a contest, just as an opportunity to share my work. I thought I had already ‘won’ just by being accepted, and then I got an email saying that they actually had a juror pick a first, second, and third place winner for cash prizes, along with three honorable mentions. Color me humbled!

Don’t you just love that natural-light-filled space?!

They were kind enough to share a few images from the art exhibit, and it looks like a pretty nice one! It was specifically a portrait show and there are some incredible entries.

The d’Art Center actually sent me a letter as well, and if you noticed they said there was about 770 entries and I won second place out of all of those… Wow… I’m literally speechless!

Unfortunately I wasn’t able to attend the show because it was a little far away, but this recognition is definitely giving me the motivation to continue to apply to various regional shows and hope to get my work seen more in person, and certainly within distances that I can actually attend. I think after these long two years hiding away, people are finally ready to start coming back out into the world and checking out all of the marvelous artistic things we artists have been working on, myself included!

Here’s a little video of me packing up the painting when I was initially accepted. Hopefully I’ll be able to work with the d’Arte gallery again one day!

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7.17.2022

Even More Framed Ferns & Flora

I have come to realize that I can literally stare at ferns for hours on end, which is something I feel like I have been doing since creating this last batch of framed plant compositions. I have them all set up in a row in my living room so I can admire them until they find new homes, and I keep catching myself pausing in mid-step to unconsciously stare at their beautiful contours.

And how about the frames on these ones too?! This thrift session scored some beautiful inlaid and hand crafted wood frames, as well as this super svelte (and surprisingly sturdy!) glass and metal minimalist design.

I’m so psyched to be making these for another upcoming three day music festival! There is truly nothing like spending a long weekend camping, dancing, and meeting other creative and adventurous folks. I feel so grateful to be able to share my art in such a fun and exuberant setting with people that seem so interested in learning about my processes and inspiration.

This festival should be an especially enlightening one since it’s a solar powered event focusing heavily on sustainability and making responsible energy use decisions for the future. I know I’m looking forward to learning some new things, and being among a conscientious and nature-loving crowd.

So if you’re in the Tennessee area, consider coming out to Get Off the Grid Fest in Chattanooga August 20-22 and come find my booth to say hi! Tickets are super reasonably priced and the line-up looks great. Here’s all the info. See you there!

7.22.2021

The Return of the Framed Fern Friends

From collecting, pressing, and drying ferns to use them in my 3D paintings, to getting them tattooed on my body (I’m up to five now!), to ensconcing them in mini resin pieces, you could say my fern obsession is pretty intense.

I actually created a few pressed framed fern compositions before leaving Hawai’i and again with my dear sweet mama for Mother’s Day last year. Since they have been such a big hit as gifts, I figured I’d make a few available for a fun music festival I’m attending as a vendor this weekend!

A number of years ago, my friend Stella and I would often buddy up when vending at local art fairs or even travel out of state together for multi-day music festivals. It was definitely a super fun lifestyle I decided to give up when I went to grad school and then moved to Hawai’i, however it was something I always hoped I could get back into lightly here and there. Luckily enough for me, Stella wound up having an extra pass for a festie she’s working this weekend in LaFayette, GA and invited me to come along!

Even luckier for me, she invited me to bring a little art along to place in the booth so I figured I’d pull out my fab fern stash, grab a few nice frames from the thrift store, and whip up a few Pressed Fern Compositions!

These are a mix of ferns found in Hawai’i, Florida, and Tennessee. I love that you can really find ferns in almost every climate, and that even though many look similar, there are literally thousands of varieties worldwide.

Wanna know what makes a fern a fern? It’s not actually the shape we all associate with it, which is what I thought for years. It just means that the seeds are located on the underside of the leaves, rather than it producing flowers. That’s it. So many different shaped leaves could all actually be ferns. Neato, huh?!?

So wish my ferns and I luck! This will be the first time I’m bringing this type of creation out into the public world, I hope people like them! The great news is that no matter what happens sales-wise, three days of outdoor music is gonna be exactly what this no-longer-quarantined Bird needs!

5.26.2021

Planning My Next Art Show

Oh boy, oh boy…. crunch time is nigh for my upcoming solo show at The Naughty Vegan Studio this Friday! Yikes!! (Get the info for my opening here!)

But no worry - I’ve got this ;)

If you’re curious about the 1001 things I’m doing to prepare, and especially of you think you might put on your own art show one of these days, check out the four part series I created earlier this year called….

Putting on an Art Show on a Budget

Part One: Creating a Flyer

Part Two: How to Frame Your Paintings Inexpensively

Part Three: Preparing for Your Art Opening

Part Four: Opening Night!

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originally published October 30, 2018

Upcoming Art Show :: Naughty Vegan Studio

HOOORAYYYY!!! Mark your calendars Honolulu friends! I’ll have a collection of my all new Shadow Play series on display all month with a special First Friday opening reception.

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originally published October 9, 2018

Opening Night! :: Putting on an Art Show on a Budget

Hoorayyyy!! The Big Night is here! Time for everything to come together and for the artist to kick back and enjoy folks enjoying all their hard work. Time to celebrate!!

I am so thrilled to share with you the conclusion of my four part video series 'Putting on an Art Show on an Budget' with my fabulous opening night vid!!! My opening was a huge success - lots of familiar faces and even more new faces - which is exactly what you want! If you'd like to see more pics from the night, check out this post from a few weeks ago. 

The opening was a fantastic whirlwind..... hooray!

....And if you'd really like to show this artist some love, please think about sharing my blog or YouTube channel with any other artists you may know. I have put on a number of art events through the years and I'd love to spread this knowledge around, plus it really motivates me to keep producing the very best videos I can when I know folks are learning and enjoying :)

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originally published March 21, 2018

Preparing for Your Art Opening :: Putting on an Art Show on a Budget

Alrighty as the big day gets closer and closer there are a number of things that need to be done to prepare the gallery for opening night. Each space and exhibition is a new experience so you may do things a bit differently than I do in this vid, but I cover the major steps that should be done to prep pretty much any space. And don't forget, there are always some last minute hiccups to attend to, so make sure to give yourself some extra time. 

I'll walk you through fixing up the gallery, hanging your artwork, and all the necessary signage you'll need to create for your show. Yay!! Bursting with excitement for the big opening!!

Make sure to catch the other three vids in this series to slay that art show!

How to Create an Art Show Flyer

How to Frame Paintings Inexpensively

How to Host a Great Opening Night

3.14.2018

How to Frame Your Paintings Inexpensively :: Putting on an Art Show on a Budget

Aloha and Welcome to Part Two of my video series on 'Putting on an Art Show on a Budget'! Today I am showing you how easy and inexpensive it is to frame your paintings using slat boards found in the lumber department of your local home improvement store. 

Now for this video you will see me using my super kickass miter saw and electric sander. You don't have to use either of these to make frames; a steady hand with a hacksaw will work along with a lil extra elbow grease for sanding. However if you are interested in playing with power tools ('cause who isn't?!), I'm sure you can score some for less than you think. I bought my miter saw, blade included, on Craigslist for $75 and the sander from Ebay for $40, which to me are small investments considering you could easily spend $150 getting just one painting professionally framed.

As far as the other materials go, the slat boards are between $1.50 - $3 depending on length and the spackle, black paint, 2" paint brush, wood glue, tack nails, painters tape and fine grit sandpaper can be purchased for around $50. All in all (not including the power tools which I already owned) I spent about $110 to frame 12 paintings which is like HELL YEAH!!!! 

So tune in to see it all come together in the most delightful way (as Mary Poppins would say)!!

Materials:

Part One + Three:

• Pliers

• Hammer

• Tack nails

• Saw (hand or miter)

• Sander (hand or electric) 80-120 grit

• 220 grit sandpaper

• 1/4" x 2" slat Boards

• (spray) paint for
  inner Wall

• Wood Glue

• Paper Towels

• Pencil

 

Part Two:

• Scissors

• Painter's Tape

• Parchment Paper

Part Four:

• Size 8-10 flat artist paintbrush

• Damp sponge or towel

• Sander/ Sandpaper 120 + 220 grit

• Spackle

• Spreader card

• Paint

• 2 inch paintbrush

A little sneak peek of my artwork hung up for the big night. More pics here

Let me know how your framing went! I chose to use black paint for mine, but I recently saw another artist use this method without the spackle and using a wood stain instead. The possibilities are endless:) Tune in next week for my video about setting up and proper signage for your art show. Yaay!

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originally published March 7, 2018

Huge Success at My Solo Art Show!!

HOOORAYYYY!!! I can't believe how many people showed up on opening night!! I had a lot of familiar faces as well as so many new eyes on my work so it was perfect!! 

I'm sure you noticed my promised vid did not come out on this past Wednesday and I'm so sorry... who would have thought that framing 12 works while filming and editing the process in the same week as repainting the gallery wall (yep, I did that too :D ), hanging work, creating signage, shopping for and preparing loads of snacks and arranging a musician, while I worked my barista and surfboard painting jobs of course, might have been a bit of an overloaded schedule? 

Gosh, when I write it all out I can't believe last week even happened! Ha! 

So check out these fun shots from the show and I promise I'll have my 'How to Frame Paintings on a Budget' vid out for your enjoyment this Wednesday. Mahalo and big love to everyone who made it out!!

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originally published March 3, 2018

Creating a Flyer :: Putting on an Art Show on a Budget

Okee dokee artsy friends, here is Part One of my series Putting on an Art Show on a Budget :: How to create a great flyer. This is so  super duper essential for inviting people.

You absolutely positively must have something to hand folks as you promote your show. If you try to just tell people to remember or give them your website card to look it up you will wind up with one empty art opening. But have no fear, you too can create a super stylish yet simple flyer using this easy free program Canva just like me. Yay!

Let me walk you through all the steps to make a noteworthy flyer for your successful event!

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originally published February 21, 2018