plant & earth pigments workshop with Judi Pettite

Super excited about the upcoming pigments workshop with Judi Pettite @ the Richmond Art Center. It's an introduction to Judi's work with plant and earth pigments plus working with various binders.

April 17th, 2010
Plant & Earth Pigments with Judi Pettite
Richmond Art Center - Richmond, CA

Native Plant Dye Workshop with Rebecca Burgess @ the Berkleley Botanical Gardens

This past weekend I attended a hands-on workshop and overview of dying fibers with locally harvested plants lead by artist and educator Rebecca Burgess at the Berkeley Botanical Gardens. It was a great honor to meet Rebecca in person after following her work on-line for some time. I admire her approach to using local resources and materials when ever possible. She has a wealth of information inside of her and a generous heart to match - I look forward to working with her again. The workshop was a small introduction, but definitely inspiring. So keep your eye out for the next one. Also at the end of the year, Rebecca's new book is being released: Gathering Color. It focuses on identifying, harvesting and creating dyes with plants in the area.

Be sure to check out the Fiber & Dye Exhibit on display at the gardens and to take the self guided walking tour of native dye plants. So beautifully laid out and such a unique way to learn.

Native Plant Dye Workshop with Rebecca Burgess
March 28th, 2010 @ the UC Botanical Gardens in Berkeley, CA

Renegade Craft Fair - SAN FRANCISCO

THIS weekend is the second annual Renegade Craft Fair in SAN FRANCISCO @ the Fort Mason Center Festival Pavilion: JULY 18 + 19, 11am – 7pm! Be sure not to miss it! Over the last six years, RCF has gained the reputation of being the biggest, best and the most well-known of all the DIY craft fairs. With over 200 indie-artists selling cool, handmade stuff - including plush items, jewelry, posters, prints, clothing, stationery plus workshops and more. Don't miss it!

Village Green

Vaughn Bell, Village Green, Installation at MassMoCA (2008) Photo by Kevin Kennefick

I've been OBSESSED with this image since Swam Gallery sent out their announcement for the upcoming show Natural Selection in August. The show pairs Josh Keyes and Vaughn Bell together in an exhibition that will explore the ways we interact with nature - paintings and a site-specific installation. I am hoping Vaughn Bell's instillation will be something along the lines of the Village Green installation since I can't seem to stop thinking about these hanging biospheres and really want to experience them.

Natural Selection will be opening Friday, August 7th from 6-8pm.
Swarm Gallery - 560 Second Street - Oakland, CA

Nice Legs!

Artist Unknown. Seen last night during Oakland's Art Murmur gallery night.
(the 1st Friday of every month)

David Byrne visits

View from the studio @ Creative Growth into the gallery: The director is talking with special guest artist David Byrne before the Summer of Love opening. David Byrne's photos are on display in the gallery along side Creative Growth Artists' (shown on the right). Cindy Sherman has some work on display too, but due to a schedule conflict she was unfortunately unable to attend the fund raising event last night. The event had a GREAT turn out and was LOTS of fun! Show runs through August 14th...

Special thanks to Tara for politely "stalking" our guest artist David Bryne all day in the studio for this photo. (I love this shot.) And extra special thanks to both David Byrne and Cindy Sherman for their involvement and support of Creative Growth.

Summer of Love @ Creative Growth

Summer of Love: artwork by Creative Growth artists with special guest artists Cindy Sherman and David Byrne! "Summer of Love is an exhibition that celebrates the force that fueled a change where visionary ideas coupled with love launched a revolution". Reserve your tickets for the fundraiser party after now --- Thursday, June 25th, 5 - 10pm

WHEN: Exhibition/artist reception Thursday, June 25 from 5 - 8pm.
Gallery event is free and open to the public, but you'll miss out on one hell of a party afterward unless you buy a ticket for the fundraiser.
WHERE: Creative Growth Art Center -355 24th Street - Oakland, CA

THEN: from 7 - 10pm the After-Party Fundraiser
WHERE: Pizzaiolo - 5008 Telegraph Avenue - Oakland, CA
MUSIC: Lord Loves a Working Man
For Fundraiser Tickets, contact Kim:

510.836.2340 x17 or kim@creativegrowth.org

Summer of Love is on view from June 25th through August 14th, 2009
Regular Gallery hours M-F 11am - 5:30pm

Creative Growth is the world’s oldest and largest art studio & gallery serving adults with disabilities. Works by Creative Growth artists can be found in collections and museums around the world. Come by for a visit.

Close to Home @ Creative Growth

Join Creative Growth for the 1st anniversary of the newly renovated space and the MUCH anticipated, annual HOME show. Celebrating the humble abode: house, apartment, camper, office, Yurt... They have artwork to fit every style! Look for one-of-a-kind ceramics for the garden and dinner table, hooked rugs, hand painted furniture and "backyard" installations with plants donated by the Berkeley Horticultural Nursery and Dry Garden Nursery.

Don't miss the handcrafted paper dresses from a workshop with visiting artist Ann Dunbar and the all day BBQ with hot dogs, beer and treats from Bakesale Betty!

Creative Growth
355 24th Street, Oakland CA
Opening: Thursday, May 7th
11am - 2pm Member's preview
5pm - 8pm Opening
w/ music by the Creole Belles!

Also open Saturday, May 9th 11am - 4pm
Regular Gallery hours M-F 11am - 5:30pm
Show runs May 7th through June 19th, 2009

Creative Growth is an art studio and gallery that serves artists with developmental, mental and physical disabilities. An environment for artistic instruction, gallery promotion and personal expression. Works by Creative Growth artists can be found in collections and museums around the world.

blue monster with friends

Look what I picked up @ Super7 today! (hee hee)

the end of an Edsel...

Just though this was the perfect end for an Edsel...

Took a little break today since the weather so lovely. Decided it was the perfect day to explore Flora Grubb in San Francisco. If you haven't been there, you really should check it out - it is a hidden gem in the city.

art-o-mat

Selling snack-sized original art wrapped in cellophane was a project started by Clark Whittington for a solo art show in 1997 and is still going strong with over 400 artists contributing from around the world. Repurposed cigarette vending machines dispense original art for around five-bucks! Art-o-mat machines can be found in museums, galleries, cafes and various shops. The machines themselves are incredible pieces. Check out their website to see more. Planning a trip? Be sure to check if there will be an art-o-mat machine in the area - each one's different and worth searching for.

To find an art-o-mat near you, click here.