It was my first time deciding to try vending at West Coast Craft in Los Angeles. A one day market located downtown at The Row DTLA. Like downtown downtown LA by the fashion district and skid row in the heart of the city. A ten by ten tent booth that was a pretty penny to apply and reserve. I was unsure of whether or not it would be worth it, but pushed myself to do it to end the year putting myself out there. I did WAY better than I had expected I would do. I am extremely proud of myself and my booth. I got great feedback, interacted with my community, shared my art, and sold some of my favorite pieces I have made. I would do it again, and I am, in April 2024. The hardest part for me is finding the time to upload all the things that are happening in my studio for online consumption. I bought a new sketchbook in downtown Los Angeles at a local art store called Artist's and Craftsman... it is also a RED cover but bigger in size. Ideas started flowing and I found myself using gouache for a week straight this month with my ink brush pen (I used to love drawing with that tool in undergrad). I'm also still working in my red lil penco notebook and adding collage elements to the lined pages from saved Japanese candy wrappers, cookie wrappers, toy packaging, my sticker collection, and whatever else I think is cute from my day to day.
Do you remember in grade school when you were instructed in art class to take a piece of cardboard and make a loom? Under over under over under over then switch to over under over under over under and repeat.... That same approach twenty years later coming to you live from my living room couch where I have been "meditating" and making mini color studies through weaving on cardboard looms.
My goal was to make one a day, after work on my evenings unwinding from a long day in the office. I learned quickly that they take a lot longer than anticipated to create. I managed to make four this week. They serve as investigations of color, texture, fiber, shape, size, etc. This week I was fixated on a similar color scheme. I look at these mini studies and can't quite grasp what they will build up to yet. Maybe attaching them collectively into one giant piece? I'm brainstorming creative ways to play on top of the weavings as well. Adding accessories and details from the day/week that define even more about the moment of time they were created. I am also going to make larger looms and have a set of larger weavings I am constantly working on throughout the week/month. I started putting my deadhead inspired ceramic coffee cup doodles onto my vending tables last year and I quickly realized I could find a way to connect with other humans in my community outside of the show dates I looked forward to once a year. It was never the intention to monetize or consumerize my love for dead culture... and all the ceramic wares I have made thus far have started as journey from my own love and adoration for the culture as well as for my own kitchen cabinets... But I thought about it after holiday season came to an end, and all of my extra dead cups sold, how I should make more dead head inspired ceramic wares to see where it might lead me on my ceramics journey and design process.
So, here I am fully investigating dancing bear design. From cups to candle stick holders. I have made these grippers with alters and dining room tables in mind. There is a Japanese stationary store located downtown at the Row called High Tide. Not only is it fun to just walk around and look at all the products but they have a section of notebooks and pens where you can play in store. I purchased a mini red Penco general notebook during one of my visits. I liked the color of the cover, the gridded pages, and the size of the paper. The pages also feel smooth where any material or pen would glide over the grid. It definitely is not intended for mixed media (even though I have combined paint on my pages with collage). The paper weight is intended for scribbling or writing. I have been using mine as a gibberish notebook as well as a place for rough sketched ideas. My creative investigations have included collage and stickers. Recently, I have been practicing my Sonny Angel Baby drawing skills... see below <3
I developed a random black and white Holga 35mm film roll last week and got back such a random assortment of images. Most were of my Mom's classroom in Ohio (see previous post), but these few attached below are from California 2023. ^Documenting my booth vending at the Rosebowl Flea Market in 2023. I do not remember which month this was... Probably September or August. ^My old bedroom. Silverlake 2023, this was documented around February or March. ^Hannah's Baby Ivy... This must be July 2023?
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Abby JoThis blog belongs to KALE. It serves as a collection of thoughts and reflections inside the everyday happenings of being in the world for Lilyungkale. Archive
April 2024
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