Paint Me Pretty

If I had someone paint a picture of me, I'd ask them to paint me pretty. If I had someone paint a picture of my life, I would ask them to paint it beautiful. If I painted anything myself, it would be everything but. I may be no painter, but art is beyond what you can do with a brush.

NAIL PAINT

WORD PAINT

WAR[HOL] PAINT

Andy Warhol | Campbell's Soup Can 1964

GIRL PAINT

Mark Demsteader | Shallow Water 

HAIR PAINT

Thakoon Spring 2012

BODY PAINT

Gary Hume 1999

CONTESTED PAINT

Ellsworth Kelly | Colors for a Large Wall 1951

SPRAY PAINT

Banksy SF 2011

xx

Beauty [CULT]

What defines beauty? 

Could it be the million dollar make-up industry that convinces us that the definition of beauty is something found in a tube, jar or at a store? 

Or could it be the clothing designers and fashion folks who would probably suggest that beauty is translated in the clothes you adorn or the type of jewelry worn?

What about the plastic surgeons who have somehow managed to convince us that beauty can be transformational, just one procedure at a time?

Perhaps it could be the modern mainstream media that has manipulated all of these notions of beauty and transcribed them through channels of stereotypes and unrealistic expectations?

Regardless of how you approach the term, defining beauty is something done by the culture. Through time, American females have somehow fallen to the threshold of how we are seen within society. Whether we are the subject or the object, determining between the two is, unfortunately, never really up to us. This weekend, I took a day trip to the Annenberg Space for Photography in Los Angeles. The exhibition really put into perspective the reality of the iconic, yet ironic culture of beauty in the U.S. By combining mixed media graphic art, contemporary advertisements, photo shoots and video, I wandered the exhibition doing my best to wrap my head around something that I have always understood to be the truth. 

Sometimes, there is much more beauty in the lies we believe than whatever the actuality that something truly is. 

To me, beauty is more than the clothes you wear, the products you have, or the shape your body is in. It is much more than what money can buy or surgery can "enhance", rather it is the confidence that comes from feeling refreshingly satisfied, appreciated and happy from the inside out. I'd like to see money buy me that.   

Cannibal Flower | Los Angeles

Cannibal Flower is a collective that produces shows every two months in Los Angeles that allows local artists to display their finest masterpieces. Complimented by local musicians as well as the creative minds and art fanatics residing in the greater Los Angeles area, the weather was not enough to rain on this parade! I brought two of my good friends from Santa Clarita to check out the show and also my San Diego pal Monty Montgomery had his work on display. 

  

Indie Scene

“Indie": a term loosely tossed around and often presented in front of nouns like music, art and fashion, is short for “independent” which is a state of being that we all know is quite challenging to achieve. When you're independent, are you really on your own? I have discovered that there is a movement to support the folks who are supporting themselves. Independent musicians, artists and designers utilize local media outlets, tradeshows, and events in order to secure commissioned projects in raising awareness and (if lucky) a paycheck. Being your own boss, publicist, marketer and curator is no easy task even for a team of professionals. The one-man-show mentality of the Indie scene is not only impressive but down right admirable.

This week, I had the opportunity to meet and chat with some fabulous folks who are taking the Indie Scene by storm.

Monday I interviewed Jason Peskin and Brianne Bear of Project Ethos, a multi-city production showcasing the latest in music, art and fashion on an independent level. The passion behind this project began with a vision for something innovative, a way for locals to connect with other creative like-minds. What started out as a small-scale bi-annual LA event, has snowballed into a movement visiting big cities like San Diego, Las Vegas and Chicago. For the full article on Project Ethos written for SDIndieFashion.com, an awesome blog about the latest in the San Diego indie sphere--take a peak here! Looking for Saturday night plans? Project Ethos will be in it's hometown for LA Fashion Week!

Wednesday I spent the afternoon feeling inspired by Sherry Lou, a friend of mine who also happens to be influencing the blog-o-sphere with her weekly fashion updates where you'll find all of her latest designs! Her blog, THREADED is a collaboration of San Diego inspired trends, tips and tricks that are definitely worth reading. Also, check out her fabulous handmade designs on Etsy, her latest stuff can be found on America's Next Top Model Naduah.

Thursday night I spent the evening with fabulous company at NBC San Diego's Authentically Local Fashion, Music and Art show featuring Art Kills Artists and co-sponsored by THREAD Show featuring local designers. The usual THREAD Show is a one day retail environment, bringing new fashion and art to trend hipsters alike. Art Kills Artists is an online collective that friend of mine + independent artist, Monty Montgomery, told me about. AKA allows real artists (the 'starving' type) and art lovers to connect online, purchase original art and create a community of publicity and awareness. 

The Art Meets Fashion mission is to initiate collaborations between established fashion designers and visual artists of excellence, to showcase the creativity in San Diego, and to encourage local teens to be involved in the Arts. A good friend and colleague, Erinn Ryan of Killer Styling, who volunteer edits the Art Meets Fashion blog recently posted my Project Ethos article.

3 Eventful Things

I've been busy lately, but I would like to think of that as a good thing. 

FIRST|Poetry Slam

What I've grown to love about San Diego is that there is a massive appreciation for the creative scene and tremendous amount of local support for amateur writers, musician and artists. La Paloma Theatre in Encinitas is a perfect example of where North County poets can step on stage for the Annual Poetry Slam and compete in a series of rounds for a cash prize. The coolest thing: this local find is free (but you'll definitely find yourself donating a buck or two in the end because all the money goes to poet with the most points!) I was throughly impressed  with all of the work!     

More photos @ justbails.tumblr.com

SECOND|V Day 

On February 19th, I attended UCSD's 2011 production of the Vagina Monologues, which I was a part of last year. Being my third time experiencing the show it was still as if I was watching it for the first time. This years cast was absolutely amazing and I really enjoyed their energy and could not help but be proud that I had been apart of such a phenomenal program with such a powerful mission.

THIRD|Project Ethos

Where can you find local designers, up and coming musicians and artists all under one roof, in one night? Project Ethos is redefining how cities like Los Angeles, San Diego, Scottsdale, Chicago and Miami are experiencing emerging innovators in fashion, art and music. 944 Magazine and DiscoverSD agree that this is more than just a showcase, but a contemporary cultural movement and one you definitely should not miss out on. Being my second time going, it was quite different from last year but in a good way. The location (this year it was at SD's Night Club + Lounge FLUXX) was great and I was able to chat with some talented folks that are making artistic moves!     

 

Art by Bret Barret

LA based rapper Mann in the building!

A Walk in Balboa Park

The whole family was in San Diego for president's day weekend and we took a day trip to Balboa Park to enjoy the rain-free San Diego weather. We stopped by the Spanish Village Art Center and checked out the open galleries. We picnic-ed with Dudley's famous rosemary & olive oil rolls, delicious! 

Garage Pop & What Not

Monty Montgomery // High Octane 

It's always sunny in San Diego and yesterday was no exception. Especially when you find yourself on the eighth story over looking the downtown skyline at 2 in the afternoon. This is where I met up with San Diego artist Monty Montgomery at his Studio in East Village, to chat about his work as an artist and graphic designer. I met Monty while he was showcasing his art and painting live at the Thread Show this past November. I had assumed he would have been a San Diego native, maybe an inner-city hipster because of the bright colors, energy and cartoon feel of his work, but I've learned that this small-town Virginian is a San Diego transplant and was raised in woodsy Louisa: population 12,000. 

I wanted to start with the beginning, so I asked him to begin with his life as a kid in the country. I find out that Monty spent much of his childhood in the woods, building forts with his brother and drawing at the kitchen table. "My mom recently told me that she always knew I was going to be doing what I'm doing right now since I was two years old, being an artist". But even though he was raised in the country-side, the meaning behind the colors and shapes of his work are very reflective of Montgomery's childhood. He shares with me that the bright stars that appear in a few of his pieces are the memories he had with his grandfather learning about the constellations as they would watch the night sky. What else inspires Monty's work--numbers, traveling, and "Even the lady in line at the grocery store can be the reason [behind inspiration]". When it comes to a starting a new piece, Montgomery carries around a mole skin to jot down ideas and even sketch something while he is away from his art desk at home. 

 Sneak Peak of some of the photos I took of Monty's Art Space!

His work was proclaimed by a fellow artist and friend of his as "Garage Pop"--edgy, energetic and all the while clean, modern  and bold. As for advice for other artists, Montgomery insists that opening your eyes and taking the time to listen to others is what has helped him to discover the most about himself and his work. This is advice I would not normally expect, but after  thinking about it, I can totally relate to life being about listening. Tuning into the world around you and learning to coexist and understand that we really are in constant transition and will forever be moving from one stage of ourselves to another. 

The full article will be debuting soon on the Proxart website! 

For more on Monty Montgomery, visit his website and online gallery here. 

Ray At Night: Art Walk

Since my sister and I have been driving all over North Park and Hillcrest for the past few days, I have found myself falling more in love with every little bit of San Diego. Last night we checked out North Park's Monthly "Ray At Night" Community Art Walk and Showcase. Every second Saturday of the month, local art studios open their doors from 6-10pm and openly invite you to experience as they expose their art in galleries.  Local businesses like the Mystic Water Kava Bar & Yoga Studio even had a host DJ playing in the back. You might just find a few other local designers and artists lining the streets with merchandise and art to sell. There was even a cupcake truck!

Ray Street & North Park Way

3D Photographs & Magnets

 Wall Mural done by San Diego Art Institute Students

The Mint Collective | Cutest Rings Ever! 

Totally Recycled | Cardboard Art