WE LOVE VINYL

A short while ago I joined together with a group of Minnesotan artists and TOMODACHI store in Rosedale, MN to form an arts group called "TOMODACHI ARTISTS". I would have told you sooner about it but I have been busy preparing for our first new art show using vinyl figures as the canvas base. The show is called "WE LOVE VINYL" and runs from today (09/17/2011) until October 2nd. If you are around come along to the opening reception from 4pm-7pm.

I have three Munny, two mini Munny and a MEGA Munny (complete with keychain Munny earring) on show with (and are you ready to have your mind hole blown?!?) another 80 (yes, count 'em 80!!) Munny and from over 20 artists. Boooom!

A couple of bits about it on line :
Kidrobot's (KRonikle) blog
Rosevill Patch article


YOU WANT A FORMAL INVITE? YOU GOT ONE....

Greetings from Tomodachi Artists!

We are happy to announce that our art show, “We Love Vinyl,” will open on Saturday, September 17th. We would be honored if you’d join us for the opening reception from 4–7 pm.

“We Love Vinyl” is a celebration of do-it-yourself (DIY) vinyl toys. DIY toys are an exciting, new type of collectible pop art that allows artists to work on a three-dimensional canvas. The featured DIY toy for this show will be Kidrobot’s Munny. We’re planning on having pieces from over 20 artists!

The reception will have prizes, music, refreshments, and a chance to meet many of the artists. There will also be a silent charity auction and several pieces at the show will be available for purchase. The charity auction will run from September 17–19, with all proceeds going towards Imagine No Malaria. Current art majors and alumni from Hamline University are working with us to create these pieces. We are also donating a portion of all gallery sales to Keystone Community Food Shelf. This non-profit organization works to help families dealing with hunger and homelessness in the Twin Cities area.

Tomodachi Artists was founded by Tomodachi as a non-profit art organization in the spring of 2011. As a group, we are dedicated to helping grow a Minnesota-based, but nationally connected, artistic community. Tomodachi Artists also works to improve the lives of our fellow artists through programs and events, help them gain greater exposure with regular gallery shows at Tomodachi, and provide them with unique opportunities in the art community.

We hope to see you at our opening reception! If you have any questions, please email us at info@tomodachi.us or call us at 651-631-1777.

SWEET MARTHA!!!

This weekend I went to the Minnesota State Fair and sampled the sweet corn ice cream (with bacon toffee sauce), deep fried cookie dough, Beer Margarita, Pork Chop on a stick and I may never eat again. In the salt/sugar hang over I was reminded that I actually submitted a piece to the State Fair Gallery earlier in the year.....it wasn't selected but is currently on display at their overflow show at the excellent space at Hopkins Center for the Arts.

Having a piece rejected or not accepted is pretty tough especially when you think of the time spent on it. At first I was disappointed, the traffic flowing through the Minnesota State Fair is pretty epic, but then most people don't really go to the fair for the art, right? Right? Say "right"! RIGHT!
The Hopkins Center for the Arts on the other hand? All about the Art lovers 100%....right?
The piece I did showing the building of a fair favorite, Sweet Martha's Cookies sold on the opening night of the exhibition.

Headin' on down to Saint Paul

Just a quick note to say that I will once again be peddling my stuff at the Saint Paul Art Crawl. The good people at the Rossmor building have saved a little nook for me again for the three days its on. Those dates are October 8th, 9th and 10th. Got that in your diary? good. It had better be in ink and not pencil.....I'll know.


I'll be getting more information tomorrow in regards to where EXACTLY you can find me so I'll get back to you.

St Paul Art Crawl - THE INFORMATION!

JAMES POWELL? - YOU'LL BE WANTING THE 2ND FLOOR THEN!



*WHERE:
Rossmor Building
500 Robert Street
St. Paul, MN

*WHEN:
APRIL
23rd (Friday) :6-10pm
24th (Saturday):12-8pm
25th (Sunday) :12-5pm

I am on the best floor, thats the 2nd one. Just go through the main entrance (pictured) and up the stairs and I'll be to the left. I'll work on some signage to guide you.

If you want to see everything in the building then there is an elevator to the 7th floor so you can work your way down using the stairs to avoid congestion. Building artists will advertise in the elevator to make it easy to find your favorite artists!
- Maps and Parking:


*Parking Bargain: $3/all day Block 19 Parking Ramp
-enter from Jackson and 7th
-street parking around the Rossmor is
free after 430pm
on Friday and Saturday
and all day Sunday
EASY parking makes this the
PERFECT PLACE TO START YOUR DAY!

Additional Rossmor Events:

Musical group - "Tortuga" - performing in studio #508 on Friday night at 8:00
Musical group "St. Thomas African Music Ensemble" performing in studio #517 Saturday late afternoon some time - more details to come.

Patrick Clancy Photography will be offering a Free Photo Booth in Studio #508 on Saturday and Sunday. Come have a free portrait taken.

Lobby Musicians!
Niki Beker will play Friday at 6 pm and Saturday at 1 pm
Nathan Eliot Rowan will play Saturday at 4 pm
Nick Strusz will play Saturday at 12 pm
We are still working on hosting a number of solo musicians at various common areas of the building - more to come on that. Anyone interested in performing can drop us a line.

Remember $3 all day parking in the Block 19 parking ramp!

Oh, and just in case that wasn't enough for you then here is a copy of the whole crawl map.

Come by and say hello and steal some candy!*

(*I may or may not have candy)

ST Paul Art Crawl

I now have a venue for the Spring Saint Paul Art Crawl - The Rosmor

I'm not sure what I am going to hang there yet but will put updates up (priobably a day or two late....naturally) but here is a little bit about it:

Event Information
Date(s): 4/23/2010 through 4/25/2010

Location: Rossmor Building
Address: 500 Robert Street North
St. Paul, 55101 United States

http://www.mnartists.org/event.do?rid=257073&associate=user

Self promotion...big up the CBIG massive!

The whole point of this blog is to keep me organized to keep people up to date with whats going on art wise. To ensure that things are going on I need to get myself :out there". This means self promotion and I think I have cracked the code.
Basically you just have to exaggerate…..is that the right word? Probably, I have seen damn right lies actually but I think the basic equation is something like:

Studied art in Japan, UK, America and throughout Europe
* visited Japan, UK, America and Belgium on a Stag weekend . May or may
not have seen some art. Countries also may not have actually been
visited. Possibly could find them on a map though.
10 years + arts experience
* Scribbling on walls in crayon since the age of three.
Successful artist
* my mum thinks I’m cool.
Exhibition now touring
* I left one of my sketch books on the bus today.
Coming soon
* Bored at current office job, wished for better things.

Despite this I do actually have something showing at the moment.....


“Minnesota Made” Art Show Announced
CBIG Show: This is actually a little late but the Children's Illustrators Guild of Minnesota (represent!) launched a show, "Minnesota Made: Through the Eyes of the Children’s Book Illustrators Guild of Minnesota". It features works features by 20 of the artists and will be held at the University of St. Thomas. I have three pieces there so go take a look. Yep, something for the kids there!

Show Dates: Jan. 22 – Feb. 28, 2010
Opening Reception: Sunday, January 24th from 2-4 p.m.
Location: University of St. Thomas, O'Shaugnessy Educational Center Lobby Gallery, 2115 Summit Ave., St. Paul, MN 55105

Download a copy of the postcard for a full list of participating artists. For more information and directions, call (651) 962-5560 or view the University of St. Thomas St. Paul campus maps.

Also I have a touring exhibition on at the moment.....if anyone finds it please let me know.