I would like to introduce you to . . .

the work of DARRELL OIKE
available for your viewing pleasure - April 28, 2009 - June 20, 2009

at the Numen Gallery 1058 Mainland Street, Vancouver

( i am pretty sure he won't mind me spreading the word a little )

http://www.numengallery.com/artists/Oike/Oike.html

Stefan Thompson at Little Mountain Studios

I arrived at work yesterday to a lovely surprise,

a beautiful invitation in my mailbox to an art opening at Little Mountain Studios.

It is just around the corner from Beansprouts, but I don't make it in often enough.

Here was my ticket.

It was a lovely evening, great company and work by Stefan Thompson

Using only non-toxic paints and recycled materials his mixed media work displays animal inspired creations; both delicate and dark, whimsical, full of expression.

If you can't make it to Little Mountain, be sure to visit his website and view other works as well - there are many!
http://www.stefanthompson.com/index.htm

Her Morning Elegance

I love how this video was made and it reminds me of my love for little moments in life:
sun shining through your bedroom window in the morning,
a warm blanket,
the comfort of a scarf,
the breeze from riding a bike,
riding the subway train,
clean sheets,
someones arms around you,

As is

As I walked around New York a few weeks ago,

I noticed I wasn't taking pictures.

I was worried that I was not inspired . . .

What would I paint now?

And then they struck me . . . the fabulous water towers of the city skyline.

Peaking out from behind walls, towering over the city, on top of it all,

they were everywhere.

"...cuz when i look around, i think this, this is good enough

and i try to laugh at whatever life brings,

cuz when i look down i just miss all the good stuff

when i look up

i just trip over things..."

- ani difranco

southernmost Brooklyn, New York City - March 14, 2009

It's a choice, to stay

It's a dream, and I want to wake

You have blood on your hands and I'm feeling faint

and honey, you can't decide...

...smoke your cigarrettes, make your love, love . . .

I am drowning and you can't decide

It's not about geography or happenstance

you need to fly and take a chance

you don't need to soar to emptiness and float on high and forever dance alone

your scared, cause I feel like home . . .

. . . you leave me here on the other side.

words - Rachael Y. , photo - Nadir B.

"Inscription 4026 B.C." by Enrico Donati

This is one of my favourite pieces from the MOMA last week.

- rich colours, thick textures, bold size, large shadows, glowing lights -

just like the city itself; fascinating, rich, inspiring.

hello Martin Kippenberger

I am currently wondering the streets of NYC.

One of my favourite things in life, really!

And while wondering through the floors of the MOMA, one of my other favourite things to do, especially when I know I am going to turn the corner and

run face to face with Mr. Mark Rothko!

I was introduced to the works of Martin Kippenberger.

A heavy retrospective, diverse and disturbing, enlightening and emotional.

The collection of work varied from room to room, really from piece to piece and it left me with the feeling that this man's personality was as such.

Amongst all of the caos were some beautiful pieces.

My favourite? an untitled painting 240 x 300 cm large,

from a series of work that was titled " dear painter, paint for me"

( it is pictured above with the man on the couch) nice place to sit in my opinion.

The light from this painting struck me from across the room.

Reminded me of the first time I saw an Edward Hopper in the flesh.

ahhhhh a day at the MOMA, life is sweet.

New West at Midnight

It all started with some late night g chatting with Sarah...

"I want a big big painting for above our bed. Dark grey/light grey/red/orange/green.... wonder if we could do it together?. . . Okay, Monday if you are well??? ( i had a nasty cold) I would need to buy the huge canvas and paints" she said.

Well, I happened to have a huge canvas in my basement and nowhere to paint on it. She had the balcony, many cans of grey paint (long story), a heater, and a bag of Reese's peanut butter cups!


We tandum painted until our hands were frozen and before I gave myself bronchitis.
And this is what will soon be hanging on Sarah's bedroom wall . . .


And I got what I was asking for earlier . . .




And of course, a special memory and an enjoyable painting experience!

idle hands

these hands are not mine

mine are clean and typing on a keyboard.

i wish i could say i had a place to paint-

where my hands could get this messy.

messy can be good sometimes-

not in my new apartment.

i need that tonight, to get a little messy...

instead i will stop wishing and just go paint,

dreaming of far off places and times to come.

xo

It's my year!

The Ox

Resolute, Strong-willed, Ambitious, Careful, Patient, Stubborn.

These powerful, dependable beings were meant to lead. They are capable of great things and never lose sight of their goals. The Oxens comforts and delights are derived from friends and family and work well done. As a friend, lover or family member the Ox makes a reliable and protective ally who is always tender and affectionate. They are not ones to back down or take much guff from anyone.The Ox is a good source of honest advice.

ooooh, it's going to be a good year - HAPPY NEW YEAR!

The Art Box Show

Here is a glimpse of the work that was shown last night at the VAB show. With a short deadline, over 200 peices were shown and drew in quite a crowd. It was so interesting to see the direction everyone took. Thank you to everyone there!

Exploration on this peice has inspired new work . . .

A ROOM OF ROTHKO

I've been reading a blog lately where I found this picture of a London exhibition of Mark Rothko. Not the best photo for sure, but for sure I am jealous. Would love to have been there surrounded by a room of his resonating colours.

IN A CITY OF PEOPLE . . .

. . . i Made a new friend who helped me to discover a new artist. Not new to the world - just new to me! Thank you to you.

Christian Boltanski:

a French photographer, sculptor, self-proclaimed painter, and installation artist.

We are all so complicated, and then we die. We are a subject one day, with our vanities, our loves, our worries, and then one day, abruptly, we become nothing but an object, an absolutely disgusting pile of shit. We pass very quickly from one stage to the next. It's very bizarre. It will happen to all of us, and fairly soon too. We become an object you can handle like a stone, but a stone that was someone.
—Christian Boltanski

REVERSE GRAFFITI PROJECT

The most amazing project - by moose the artist.
LOVE IT LOVE IT LOVE IT

Stolen from Elana

thanks elana for unknowingly letting me borrow this picture.
(actually as i post this, i do have a few drawings that are masterpieces to me that are being preserved on napkins in a journal somewhere)

Glimpse into the studio

This is where i am these days (in the studio aka my bedroom); listening to new sounds, exploring new sights, looking inside, trying to get outside, the days grow shorter, the nights grow long, the kettle is on, the wine is open, the rain is pourin', the candles are lit, the bath is drawn, the boy is sleeping, the music is playing, the paint is dripping . . .

TEXTURE

This was my favourite subway station in New York.

So many different textures here.

I wanted to cut out pieces of the wall and frame them.

Plaster, concrete, tiles, signs, dirt, paint, chipping paint, grey, blue, white?, black, yellow, orange.

You should have seen me trying to sneak pictures and not look like a tourist.

What camera? Didn't get many pictures. I know - silly!

So thanks to my friend Andrew for taking care of that for me!

" the plot - relinquish"

one of the six pieces that are now view at Re-Entry.

(A preview of "the plot"- work in progresss.)

This seems to be the piece that is being talked about the most.

I actually find it quite obvious but it seems to be catching people off guard.

I have been having fun sitting in the cafe quietly drinking my tea in the corner.

Anyhow, the work will be up until December so if you haven't been by for that Re-Entry brownie yet, you still have a chance to eat your brownie next to my paintings.

All six pieces are now posted on the website. Enjoy.

WHERE? MAGAZINE FEATURE

Thank you to THE DRIFT for the publicity.

Have a look, here is a link to a painting featured in Where magazine . . .

http://www.where.ca/vancouver/category_hottip.cfm?category_id=3

THE BEST OF MOMA

Here are my picks for the best pieces at the MOMA.

I love finding paintings by artists that i am familiar with, but that surprise me, that are not typical of their style.

The Rothko paintings are still by far my favourites though.

My breathe changes when i stand in front of them, shaking my head in awe.