Tres On'nanoko for SWEET STREETS

acrylic on wood panel, 12x12


Continuing on my theme of Japan meets LA for Sweet Streets I was inspired by this photograph and mural to create my own tribute to 3 schoolgirls - "Fresh, Shy, and Pretty"

"Fumiko" for SWEET STREETS

acrylic on wood panel, 11x14

"Fumiko" is one of my 2 paintings for SWEET STREETS II at Gallery Nucleus.
Having grown up in Los Angeles, the fashion of cholos and cholas was intriguing to me as it was so unique, strong and also intimidating. Gang culture is synonymous with LA life, just as much as Hollywood and celebrities, both of which you are equally likely to come into contact with here.

Fumiko is the name of the only woman to ever run the Yakuza in Japan. My idea behind "Fumiko" is how a tough Japanese girl might interpret LA life and translate it's culture into fashion - the recurring theme of clothing as costume, and as identifying what kind of girl you are.

Land of Girl Head Mountains - Göoo magazine #9 "Utopias" Issue 2010

I just got my adorable copy of Göoo magazine in the mail and it looks awesome! I am very happy with how my "Land of Girl Head Mountains" turned out! It was so nice of Martin Orza to invite me to take part and the theme of "Utopias" made me think of a land of girls with batting eyelashes and waterfalls running down their silky manes. I pictured myself living in a land of girliness where everything is beautiful and soft and full of love. I would slip and slide down the slick mountains and skip through the meadows of heart-leaved trees and everything would be right in the world.

Sweet Streets ad in Hi-Fructose Magazine

Hi-Fructose magazine Volume #16 is here with the Sweet Streets 2 ad featuring my art "Tomomi do Kazuko" on the back cover! I am pinching myself this is so cool. (and pretending I'm in Japan, making it the front cover! ;P )

I almost done with my paintings for Sweet Streets and am so excited for the show!

paperbag kitty ~ elephant ~ squid nerds

june sketches

a new tiny sketchbook and black ink, while bunnies roll in the dirt and chipmunks sun themselves....

Pumpkin ~ almost full grown

my cute little pumpkin is blossoming... acrylic on wood panel. getting my juices flowing to start on my sweet streets paintings....

Gramma Delma's Palette

My Great Grandma Delma will be 113 years old this Halloween.
She was born in 1897 and she was a teacher and an artist.
She painted purple cows, seascapes, landscapes, girls with flowers, and she was also an avid gardener and made the best darn cinammon rolls this side of the mississippi.

This is her palette and her paints. An amazing treasure.
Taking these photos has inspired me to compile and publish a book of her artwork. I always have her kit on my table as a constant source of inspiration.