My legacy

Recently I have come to a realization that most of what I do in life, and choices I make, are my subconscious ways to leave a legacy in this world.  "Making a mark," as some might say.  Political scientist Francis Fukuyama, in his book, The End of History and the Last Man, asserts that the reason for human history is our deep-seated needs for recognition.

For many times over, I have chosen a path that was seemingly insane.  I left a life of affluence and privilege, went to schools learning subjects that did not necessarily led to money, and honestly, even when I thought I was a selfless servant of the world, I was trying to become a hero, in building an epic legend with my own life.  No one today knows or understands the extent of this, and how this led me to a place in which I am living an extraordinary -- as in truly out of ordinary -- adventure that manifests many of my youthful dreams of the past.  Quixotic, maybe.

In the end, what I am doing is leaving a mark in this world, and perhaps while at it, inspire and challenge this world.

A few days before the opening of the Siren Nation Art Festival, this idea came to me in my dream -- a tongue-in-cheek prank to install a "mixed-media conceptual 3D art," which is made of a purple pushpin and a blue string.  In this big world, my legacy perhaps may be small, and outright silly at times to some, but I am leaving a mark.

A quiet afternoon

Yes, I do things other than cats, every once in a while...

My sixth show of this year: Siren Nation Art Festival opening this Thursday

I have indeed fulfilled my goal of six art shows this year, with the opening of the Siren Nation Art Festival this Thursday!

En retrospeta / In retrospect
En prospeta / In prospect

As you see, this time around, I have decidedly taken a somewhat different approach (what?! they are still cats!!).  For the previous five shows, I was primarily using line-drawing illustrations that were tinted with a bit of watercolour.  For this show, I have done more traditional watercolour paintings.

The art festival's theme this year is "Then and Now."

The Siren Nation Art Festival originally began in the early 2000s, inspired by LadyFest, Michigan Womyn's Music Festival, and Lilith Fair, with a purpose of showcasing women's music talent in a world that is dominated by men.  A fine arts festival was later added as an adjunct event, as well as the craft fair.

This is my third time with Siren Nation, first time as part of the (now-defunct) Working Artists Network, LLC booth at the 2008 craft fair at the McMenamins Kennedy School (with Adrienne Fritze and Amy Luck!).  In 2010, I made it into the juried fine arts show at Albina Press Hawthorne, and I am back this year after two years of absence.

Siren Nation Art Festival information:

Where: Albina Press on Hawthorne (not the one on Albina Avenue), 5012 SE Hawthorne Blvd, Portland, Oregon 97215
When: Opening Thursday, November 7, 2013, 6 p.m. - Ending Tuesday, December 3, 2013.
http://www.sirennation.org/festival-art/

October 4-25: Portland Tarot Show 2013

The Tarot Show

First Friday opening reception on October 4, 7-9 p.m.
Show dates: October 4-25, 2013
Splendorporium, 3421 SE 21st Ave, Portland, Oregon 97202

Announcement -- domain name change

As part of cost-cutting and streamlining measure, this site is now found at http://art.alleycatmews.tk/ instead of http://creative.alleycatmews.info.

Spring clearance original art sale

The following items are from my previous (recent) art shows and are for sale. (Note: all items are unframed originals.)

Catnip Dreaming (9" x 12")

From the February solo show Purrsuit of Catness, "Catnip Dreaming" is one of the online favorites thus far.  This ink and watercolor illustration is on a 9"x12" Strathmore paper.
$70.00

Kitty is very very sleepy (12" x 9")

"Kitty is very, very sleepy" contemplates on end-of-life, death, and eternity.  Ink and watercolor on a 12" x 9" Strathmore paper.  From February 2013 Purrsuit of Catness show.
$50.00

Found is lost and lost is found (8" x 8")

From April 2013 The View from Here show. $50.00

Out of mud, brightness (8" x 8")

From April 2013 The View from Here show. $50.00

Ingenuity (8" x 8")

From April 2013 The View from Here show. $50.00

Contact Sarah if you are interested in purchasing.

May and June shows!

First of all, thank you everyone who came to the Afru Gallery to see the just-concluded View from Here show! It was great to come back to that space, previously known as the Launchpad Gallery, since the last time I showed in a group show (The Fear Show, 2010).

As if this isn't a big thing for me enough, I have two juried shows that I got in, that are coming up for May and June 2013! These will be the third and fourth shows of the year, after two full years of break from my artistic career.

The ¡Muros Abajo! show is a very timely as the U.S. Congress is slated to begin hearings and debates on the comprehensive immigration reform bill. As an artist and an immigrant rights activist, this show will be my first attempt at a political art, or an art-as-activism. It is presented by the Portland Central America Solidarity Committee (PCASC), one of the long-time organizers of the Portland Immigrant Rights Coalition (PARC) and a partner of the former Liberty Hall (aka Workers Educational Resources Center). It will open on the May First Friday.

The Portland Recycled Rain Project, opening June 1, is a brainchild of Sara Sjol. This challenge show is based on the idea of using collected local rainwater for various forms of art production.

Interestingly, all four of the shows I have had this year have been in Southeast Portland!