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The way I can always tell summer is in full effect is when I am on accelerated grind mode. For us painters who do public work and art on the street summertime is when a lot of our outdoor work happens. Now that I’m out of my hibernation mode and in stank city heat here are some of the dope projects I’ve been working on…
The Flock by FOKUS took place June 3 in BROOKNAM. It was so much fun to host my bleach batiking workshop with FOKUS and reach out to the community to show innovative ways to create art. I was so busy at my table that I didn’t even get to kick it with my peoples who were also there working. Peep some of the photos below for my brief recap. To see more flicks of the whole jam in depth please check out the FOKUS website….
Thanks to Atiba, Giovanna, Allison and the whole FOKUS team for bringing this event to the community. Building community is a significant part of my aesthetic as an artist- thanks for providing the platform FOKUS!
Hey all,
I will be at Flock this year doing a bleach batik workshop. Please come thru and join us for the fun festivities. See you there!
FOKUS presents The Flock 2012: Arts Party in The Plaza
(Brooklyn, NY) Art is a cause for celebration and creates a space for gathering. With this in mind, FOKUS created The Flock in collaboration with Soul of Brooklyn, to share unique craftsmanship and provide an opportunity for strangers, artists and art forms to gather in one eclectic place. On Sunday, June 3rd from 1-6pm, artists and their communities will gather at The Flock to showcase and engage with thearts under the summer sun at the Putnam Triangle Plaza (on Fulton and Putnam) in Clinton Hill, Brooklyn, NY. Live music, art exhibitions, and workshops will be available for creative folks of all ages. DJ Lynnee Denise will be providing the musical soundtrack for the event in addition to a live performance by Sophia Urista.
New Yorkers will be invited to Brooklyn to peruse artwork, watch performances, shop for various goods, support small local businesses and participate in creative workshops. 15 vendors/ artists (of many mediums)/ artist educators will set up shop for one day only, providing a space for anyone, children and adults, to experience a variety of artwork in one space at their leisure. The Flock 2012 will focus on supporting creative small business models, that have become characteristic of Brooklyn, through its collaboration with the FAB (Fulton Area Business Alliance) and Sacred Brooklyn Yoga and Movement Studio. Come join us for an afternoon of music, dancing, crafting, and celebrating art in its many forms!
The Flock 2012
Putnam Triangle Plaza
(at the intersection of Putnam Ave and Fulton St)
Brooklyn, NY
June 3rd, 2012
1pm-6pm
Participating Artists
Workshops
Sponsors:
Soul of Brooklyn, Brooklyn Arts Council, Fulton Area Business Alliance (FAB), Sacred
Directions:
C/S to Franklin Ave
C to Clinton-Washington
G to Clinton-Washington
The Flock is made possible, in part, by the Soul of Brooklyn Regrant program, which is supported by funding from a Rockefeller Foundation New York City Cultural Innovation Fund award and administered bythe Brooklyn Arts Council (BAC) in collaboration with the Museum of Contemporary African Diasporan Arts (MoCADA).
Hey all,
Come through if you can to support the kids I worked with in Brooklyn and check out the Teaching Artist interview Bric posted of me.
http://bricrotunda.wordpress.com
BRIC Arts | Media | Bklyn presents I AM YOU/YOU ARE ME, the 24th Annual BRIC Contemporary Art Education Exhibition of student artwork. Curated by Hawley Hussey, BRIC’s Director of Contemporary Art Education, the exhibition presents artwork in a wide variety of media by students from 10 public schools across Brooklyn as well as in Queens and the Bronx. This is the first year that the student exhibition is thematic, focusing on identity and individuality as it relates to one’s larger place within a community.
I AM YOU/YOU ARE ME showcases artwork made by students at public schools that participate in BRIC’s in-school Contemporary Art Education Residency program. Through the program, professional artist teachers partner with classroom teachers to design contemporary art residencies in such academic areas as math, English, social studies, and science. These artist teachers are educators as well as practicing artists who are sent directly into the classroom for residencies in which they use visual arts concepts and techniques to help students learn about contemporary art while better understanding a range of academic subjects.
This is the first year that the student exhibition is thematic. I AM YOU/YOU ARE ME was inspired by the launch of artist teacher Kate Fauvell’s 1.1 project for which she will partner with artists, teachers, and students across the city to produce 1.1 million life-size images of children, one to represent every child in the New York City public school system. The project, and likewise, I AM YOU/YOU ARE ME, focuses on themes of identity and community and teaches students the importance of their own voice and individuality, particularly as it relates to being part of a larger community.
The exhibition represents 10 school partners and presents work in such varied media as painting, quilting, collage, poetry, spoken word, graphic novel, site-specific installation, sculptural photography, and digital media. Some of the projects completed for the show include self-portrait sculptures inspired by Pop-era artist Marisol Escobar; a 25 foot-long Sharpie mural reflecting the school’s feeling of community; numerous contributions to the1.1 project; and a photo transfer installation which honors loved ones in a unique, impactful way. During the opening reception, a section of BRIC Rotunda Gallery will be transformed into the 1.1 Studio, where portraits for Kate Fauvell’s project will be created on-site by Kate and her students.
I AM YOU/YOU ARE ME represents only a fraction of the artwork created in residencies, giving viewers an idea of the level of engagement reached by BRIC’s Contemporary Art Education program in each school.
Opening Reception: May 16, 2012, 6 – 8 pm
BRIC Rotunda Gallery will host a Family Day art-making workshop on Saturday, May 19, 2012, from Noon – 3pm. Families with kids of all ages are invited to drop by and observe and create their own artwork using inspirational and fun materials. The workshop is led by one of BRIC’s talented artist teachers.
This summer has been super duper busy for me so of course I haven’t had a chance to blog- here it is. A mashup blog entry of all my projects since MAY…
SEASON KICK OFF PIECE
This May my homie Free5 asked me to get down on this wall in Astoria by Ditmars Blvd (around the corner from Jackson Hole Diner). Had a great time and painted a character that I was really diggin’. Peep the pics. THANKS FREE5:)
THE ACCOKEEK FOUNDATION
Me and Diana took a trip out to Maryland to visit The Accokeek Foundation. We had a meeting with some of the AMAZING folks who are protecting and fighting for our food rights. This YOUNITY research trip was necessary since our next fall YOUNITY show focuses on food sovereignty. See pics below…
farmers posted this which I thought was beautiful!
cows grazing freely which is how ALL cows should be raised.
THANKS to Molly from Accokeek for hosting us:)
THE LAUNDROMAT PROJECT
I was hired to work for The Laundromat Project this year which goes into NYC communities and sets up art workshops outside laundromats. I taught a t shirt bleach batik workshop focusing on your neighborhood… here are some pics:
SING FOR HOPE PIANOS
This year I was invited to participate in the Sing For Hope Piano Pop Up Project. My piano is currently located at Washington Market on Greenwich Street and Reade Street, downtown NYC. : See pic below for my piano:) AND GO CHECK MY PIANO OUT UNTIL JULY 2nd. I also taught a workshop with the ART U! students to create their own pianos.. so inspiring! I am honored to be teaching with Sing for Hope year round starting August.
These professional visual artists have volunteered alongside community members, Sing for Hope Art U! students, and master technician Fred Patella to bring their 88 individual Pop-Up Pianos to life. And once the Pop-Up Pianos hit the streets, hundreds of Sing for Hope Volunteer Artists from NYC’s great stages will bring the pianos further to life with their Pop-Up Concerts!
Artist Melanie Edwards play on my piano with a charming young audience.
SING FOR HOPE ART U! students hooking the piano up.
Victoria gets down with her piece…. lovin’ it
THANKS JOSE for inviting me and hiring me to teach students at Sing for Hope!
PRINT WORKSHOP
Thanks to the crew who participated in my second workshop- it is an honor to work with you guys! Cant wait until the next one… This is the second workshop hosted at my place. I love that my community reaches out asking for art workshops. I didnt take that many pics this session but here are a few.. the next one will be stencil making in August:) If you’re interested in participating email me: amfilesnyc@gmail.com
Deedee’s first time printing and she was a pro!!!!
Heather and Liza working hard to get it done…. times a tickin’
Portia stays late to get different variation of the print… I love ur creativity gal!
I created a print and then printed them into stickers- look out for them and u can even ask for one when u see me:)
WELLING COURT
This year was the 2nd annual Welling Court Mural Project and I along with many other artists were invited to paint this neighborhood. Like last year the community came out to feed us and make sure we were all good. They also hosted a block party for us with delicious food, good tunes and positive vibez! You can’t even imagine how good it feels to have people in the community support what you do. THANKS to ALLISON AND GARRISON of ADHOC Art for putting this together- u guys are a dynamic duo!!!!
Me n El Camino rocked a wall together…
Me n Allison share a kodak moment.
My piece complete to add to my book of walls…
Looking forward to next year:)
WASHINGTON-WWAR
Just got back from Seattle and Walla Walla, Washington this week for meetings about a really DOPE upcoming project that’s on the horizon… I will be traveling to Seattle often this coming year:) stay tuned for more info about that later. While I was out there I got to chill with some really cool peeps and get a piece done. The gorgeous mansion I stayed at was so inspiring; I was anxious to bless it!!! Check out some of the flicks below and of course a very special thank you to Stephanie Dorgan for hosting and Steve Miller as well as Tilson for bringing all my materials and buckets of energy! much love… more to come soon:)
WHATS NEXT… 2 shows in BK, solos show in Paris, solo show in Israel and YOUNITY show in the fall.
INVITES TO FOLLOW
Hey all,
This week I hosted a printmaking workshop with some amazing people at my place. It was so much fun and will become a monthly thing per their request- check out the flicks:
PRINTMAKING TOOLS EVERYWHERRRRRRRR.. nibs from linoleum cutter.Sarah prepping her block printing plate- mapping out the design:)
Anusha really taking her time to carve the perfect elephant- the process is what makes these so fun! Happy u got into it gurrrrrl:)
Joe is like a pro in any medium he uses- he goes right in- NO QUESTIONS ASKED:)
First time working with Jada and it was a great pleasure- her piece was asymmetrically symmetrical if that’s possible at all.lol
Michelle came in doing something real graphic and left with something super textured. I love how process flows naturally and when you go with it’s even better!
Caitlin and Gail working hard at carving…. definitely put their backs into it:)
Michelle pulling her prints and experimenting- so happy u came Michelle!
Caitlin was super ambitious with this and I am so happy she was cause it came out AMAZING!!! u go with the freestyle skillz girl!
Gail was able to create the texture of the monster in the print. I thought that was super cool- its hard to create fur with ink…
Leianne and her peaceful lotus. I think every print really represented the individual and this def reps you Lei!
Awwwww Liza- I love your perfect print! So great to work with both you and Reina and see the similarities and differences.
Nelson- I love the print you left me! Thanks for hooking it up with the chairs- It was such a pleasure working with you and I know we are going to continue building!
Leianne and Nelson showing off their amazing prints!
PORTIA- definitely love your curiosity in playing and exploring new ways. I’m so happy you came – worked out perfect since someone cancelled that morning:)
It was great having you stick around while I was cleaning up- the edition you created was really beautiful. Anusha somehow made the paper look like they were burned by acid with their texture- SO DOPE!
Nelson reviewing his work while getting ready to sign and number his edition of prints.
Sarah, Portia and Liza give big smiles and lotta love before leaving to feed the babies…
THE GROUP of new printmakers- next time we gotta get a group shot before anyone leaves.
ALL MY NEW PRINTS- THANKS for all leaving a print for me:) I’m so excited to have worked with you all, it was so fun and I look forward to more of these!
STAY TUNED FOR NEXT WORKSHOP IN MAY…. hit me up for details.
For those of you who attended the stencil workshop last night know how great it was- for those who didn’t peep the flicks to get a sense of how much fun it was! Thanks to the WHOLE MFTA STAFF who really helped make it happen!!! The MFTA team is a great, efficient and positive organization to work with. They also know how to have fun! SO refreshing…
loved these letters.
beto getting his detailed sketch in- it looked so great!
Joe and Koveus engaged in the process.
Claudia and Jess working out ideas with some of the stencils.
finished cutting, wanting to keep it clean for the first test run…
so much energy with great designs- nice meeting you Yulsan!
Nat from MFTA smiling and being my go to person the whole class.
This is great how she really experimented with textures- SO GREAT!
TALENTED MARTHALICIA cuts her first stencil- where’s Wesley? Probably snapping away with the camera…
Love loop- I love love love the dollar bill she printed that says love on a one dollar bill. it reads ONE LOVE..
this feels like a stencil you would see in NYC.
can you believe this is his first stencil? good job!
big smiles, great positive energy..
I know all about the headaches Joe…
JONATHAN!!!! awesome vibe from this kid- he did a great job keeping that GRAFF flavor that we oh so LOVE!!!
THE WHOLE TEAM- oh and theres wesley with his hand in the frame snapping away- I LOVE U WESLEY!!
THANKS TO ALL THE FOLKS WHO CAME THROUGH TO SHOW THEIR SUPPORT AND LEARN HOW TO MAKE STENCILS- IT WAS GREAT FUN!!! MORE PICS ON MFTA’S SITE COMING SOON!