Mee Kyung Shim...

is a highly talented, focused artist who has rejuvinated my faith in the arts as a career. 

I have seen so much half-hearted art out there. People figure out how to paint a landscape or make something look fun and catchy. The most common form of this is what I call "splish splash" art. Whenever I look at this particular style of art, it makes me think of the song..."Splish splash I was taking a bath..." This occurs when a person takes a paint brush, dips it in various paints, and goes to town. They may use encaustic to add a level of beauty, but it's the same thing. This was good for the abstract expressionists, but not eveyone can pick up a brush, splash it around and call themselves a master of the craft. Sorry.

So much art I have seen is EASY. Sure, it looks neat and is enjoyable, but it shows no depth or commitment from the artist. 

Mee Shim has reminded me of the difference between FINE art and, well, decorative art. 

Walking into her gallery on India street I was FLOORED. It had been so long since I had seen art of such a high caliber. With such thought and precision. (Are people lazy? Did they never study art in the first place? Why is there so much decoartive junk out there?)

After speaking with the artist for some time, I understood that this art comes from a high level of education, thought and COMMITMENT. I think that is what is missing in so much other work. Fine art is truly a mastering of a skill. It goes beyond painting a fun beach scene. It is about honoring the technique, the skill and the depth that is found in so many fine works of art. 

The information about her work is available on her website. I am sure that any artist will be struck by her work. 

James Hubbell

This past week the kids and I had a mindblowing experience visting the home of James Hubbell. Imagine if Gaudi and Frank Lloyd Wright had an affinity for stained glass.

His home is scattered through a series of rooms and studios that function as the living and workspace. To move from room to room, one travels outside. We were fortunate to have BEAUTIFUL fall weather and a ripe setting sun. 

At heart, Mr. Hubbell is a sculptor and his building reflect this. They are filled with ebb and flow, interacting smoothly and gently with their environment. The gentle concrete structures reflect and organic and pleasing line that reminds me of waves or wind. 

The buildings are filled with mosaic and stained glass features. The colors are rich and plentiful. Each room is filled with mosaics, often giving the impression of running water. A small stream moving from one area of the room to another. I avoid the word corner, because there are no corners - only soft forms and new places to be. Concrete walls are completed with details inspired by shells. The floor is hand cut and fired clay. Each room, pool, studio, storage unit, bathroom brings me to tears in this awe inspiring tribute to one man's passion.

Georgia O'Keeffe

We recently discovered abstract art and Georgia O'Keeffe.

Georgia O'Keeffe was a phenomenal artist. She overcame self-doubt and produced artwork that was new, exciting and remains among the most important in modern art history. 

I haven't come across information that discusses her self-doubt, but as a human being and a woman, I think I can infer a few things.

1. O'Keeffe wondered if she was a "raving lunatic" for creating her early abstract works. This is a charcoal series that comprised her first independent art show at 291. She was doing something new and she herself wasn't sure how it would be received. 
2. O'Keeffe was a woman. She explained how all the men had painted New York City and that they couldn't even do it right. What was she, a woman going to do? In other words, what could she possibly offer the art world? O'Keeffe had to find the confidence and empowerment within herself to say that she had something unique and worthwhile to offer the world. That is NOT an easy thing. Overcoming the doubts of the professionals around you? You try it...
3. Georgia O'Keeffe did not particularly care for the confines of the city. She was limited by a confined landscape. From what I can gather she remained in the city to be with her husband, Stieglitz. She prefered the open, empty landscape of the desert, bringing pieces of it with her to paint. Still, she found a way to explore her setting. Instead of being sullen, she embraced her art. This may not have been a huge challenge. Many artists will tell you: art is like a disease. You have no choice but to create it. 
4. Prior to her arrival in the art scene, Stieglitz had photographed O'Keeffe hundreds of times. Many of these photographs were nudes. When O'Keeffe's abstract flowers debuted, people associated them with the sexuality of her portraits. She found this frustrating and incorporated more realism into her style. She continued to paint in the abstract, but could not shake the sexual stigma that came with her work. 

The O'Keeffe Museum offers an online collection of O'Keeffe's work. If you browse by date, you can watch her work evolve. She begins as a child in school, learning about value and form. She then learns realism, something she later rejects. You can see the work as it was influenced by Arthur Dow and as it finally evolves into its ultimate expression. This is a fantastic resource and I encourage any fans to explore. 

Cannon Art Gallery - Juried Biennial

Shopping at the library is always a pleasure. Not only is there a myriad of free information, but a beautiful art gallery attached! I always make a point to stop in and see what is new. 

Today I was fortunate enough to see the work of San Diego county artists at the Juried Biennial exhibit. I love seeing a broad spectrum of work in one room. Each piece stands out as its own unique contribution. In a single person show, I often find my thoughts or eyes weighted by the repetition of style or theme. In a mixed show such as this, each piece is an exciting, different moment that can be complimented by its neighbor. For example, Chris Kafka's Disassociation was exeptionally engaging and energetic. Placed near Nanette Newbry's Headed West from East brought out the calm, deep qualities of her work.

Chris Kafka's "Disassociation"Nanette Newbry's "Headed West from East" 

There was very beautiful and inspiring artwork at the show. I was left with a renewed passion for my work. I am often hesitant to create anything. I want it to be perfect - the figures completely accurate, the lines smooth and perfect without brush strokes. I had the thought that no art is perfect. It is simply an expression of self, where the self is at that moment and a part of a deeper, greater journey for the artist. 

I walked away with the intention to stop judging myself right now, to find myself in a greater place tomorrow. 

Roy Lichtenstein

I had a lot of fun teaching the 1st and 3rd graders about Pop Art in the past two classes. We covered Andy Warhol last week. This week I chose Roy Lichtenstein specifically for the student who loves drawing comics. Whaddya know, he took to it and incorporated a bit of the lesson into his own art. 

I love parody. Mr. Lichtenstein was a master. 

I had the chance to see some of his work at a Pop Art exhibit in San Francisco. I was struck by how large the pieces are, but also how (ever so slightly) imperfect they are. Now don't get me wrong, Mr. Lichtenstein was known for his precision the dramatic effect this offered. What I was touched by, however, is that these seemingly perfect, photograph-like images have minute flaws. These appeared to me a precious archeology of the artists' hand. That he was actually there, steadily creating this astounding work. 

And it is astounding. He did not shy away from the 'Pop.'

When I think of Roy Lichtenstein I think of heightened Americana. In 2010, we are all too familiar with the art, board games, clothing and technology of the 1960's. But in 1963, he painted "Whaam!" a blaring, can't look away image that takes us to the heart of war and novelty. Many of his images were very similar to actual comic panels. I imagine if we wanted to be self-reflective, a great way to do so would be to take small items from our daily life and then blow them up to 4 times their size. He even paints in a pixelated fashion, using the Ben-Day printing process as a painting style. Andy Warhol achieved a similar effect through the commercialization/repetition of his images. I think it may be tempting to read too much into this work. By all means, it has depth and serious meaning, but I think this lies more within the view than with the artist or the work. 

I dig the fun, every so gently insightful flair of Lichtenstein's art. 

I had the kids draw the following image today. It was based off of a coloring sheet I found online. It's a fun project. Think of something that makes a sound or a strong emotion. Draw it, throw in some words and blamo: a fun, Lichtenstein inspired work.