Annie Stromquist: One Artist's Life

Summer in January

2012-01-29T09:57:00.000-08:00

January has given Socal a month full of fine weather days and Saturday was yet another one with temperatures in the 80's, sunshine and a light breeze. Wowzy. Joe and I headed down to the beach to have an early dinner on the patio at Belmont Brewing Co.

Years ago, we lived just a few blocks from BBC and ate here several times a week. It's been a favorite place for a long time.

True to form, I ordered a salad. This one is made of arugula, blackened scallops, strawberries, mandarin oranges, blue cheese crumbles, candied walnuts and a vinaigrette dressing. Delish.

A band of wild parrots roam this area. They are a vibrant green, so they blend in with the leaves here, but they are all hanging out in the branches, squawking like a Congressful of politicians.

Cyclers head east on the beach bike path in the foreground; Belmont Pier stretches toward the south. The Pier has been a popular fishing spot for years and years.

Do Try This At Home

2012-01-27T08:14:00.000-08:00

Thanks to YouTube, we've come a long, long way in the educational "audio-visual" genre. Remember film strips?

Here are two wonderfully creative how-to vids about printmaking found on YouTube:

The first is a four minute stop motion production made by artist Armenio Rodriguez and friends from the Los Angeles based La Mano Press who demonstrate how to carve and print a woodcut. Here is the link.

The second is a quite different but equally inspiring presentation by Jared Roth of artist Bridget Henry demonstrating how to create a reduction wood cut. It is ten minutes long, so save it for later, when you can relax and enjoy the whole thing. Here is the link.

Thanks, Loren Fierman and Pablo Sandoval!

I Think It Looks Like a "Max"

2012-01-23T17:30:00.000-08:00

Our poor old work horse of a pressure washer finally died during the last week of fall semester's screenprinting class. Definitely an untimely death as far as we were concerned, since most students were feverishly finishing their final projects and screens were hard to clean without one. But we all got through it. (Except for the pressure washer, of course. Sorry, buddy.)

Today, I'm excited to report that we've scored! Our shiny, new replacement is the top of the line! Steel parts, strong joints, 400 dpi motor, fine design. Now, what should we name it?

Our shiny new pressure washer

Pablo Sandoval tries it out.

Happy Birthday, John Montich

2012-01-21T10:04:00.000-08:00

Unsuspecting, photographer John Montich arrived at the Long Beach Museum one recent Saturday to have lunch with Joe and me. He knew the three of us were celebrating his 65th birthday, but little did he know fourteen more of his closest artist friends would join us!

John Montich, me, Joe

Terrill Cascia, Judy Chan, Jean Clad

John Sanders, Bill Livingston, Mike Hamlin

David Braunstein, Terry Braunstein, John Montich

Gail Werner, Cynthia Evans

Lynn Shaw, Doug Pennington

Carol, Slater Barron, Mark Laurila

Sue Ann Robinson, Mike Hamlin

Hammer Museum: Art and Salad

2012-01-20T20:50:00.000-08:00

I had this salad at the Hammer Cafe the other day. It was delicious! Butter lettuce, slices of roasted beet, carmelized onions, walnuts and goat cheese with a vinaigrette dressing.

Even better than the salad was the exciting art: Now Dig This! Art & Black Los Angeles 1960 - 1980, one of the shows included in Pacific Standard Time, a broad ranging documentation of art made in Southern California from 1945 to 1980.

I went to the Museum with Judy Chan and we both came away richly inspired and anxious to get back to our studios. Thank you, Hammer!

Apparitional Visitations, 1973

Suzanne Jackson

Family, 1967

Samella Lewis

Untitled, 1974-76

John Outterbridge

America The Beautiful, 1968

David Hammons

I loved the photo negative-like quality of the figure in this image and others by Hammons. They are actual body prints, created by covering his (or another) body with grease or butter, pressing it onto paper and then adding a layer of pigment to the paper, which stuck to the greased areas. After seeing his work, I tried this process at home using my hand for the trials and got some interesting results which I hope to put to use soon.

The Flying Cow

2012-01-17T07:14:00.000-08:00

Here is Joe's best swap find from the weekend. How could I not love the person who walks in the door with this curious amalgam of iconic features from China????

Brothers, in a Way

2012-01-15T08:15:00.000-08:00

A photograph of this striking drawing from 1903 of Gustav Mahler (artist unidentified) appeared in the L.A. Times recently. I was immediately reminded of my favorite photograph of Muddy Waters, a similar profile view. Each image so wonderfully captures the artist's verve.

One of my favorite songs from this CD is "Baby, Please Don't Go," written by Joseph Lee Williams. On paper, the lyrics seem ordinary and tame. It is what Muddy does with them that makes the song so great.

Baby, please don't go

Bay please don't go down to New Orleans

You know I love you so

Before I be your dog

I get you way'd out here, and let you walk alone

Turn your lamp down low

I beg you all night long, baby, please don't go

You brought we way down here

You brought me way down here

'bout to Rolling Forks, you treat me like a dog

Baby, please don't go

Baby, please don't go back to New Orleans

I beg you all night long

Before I be your dog

I get you way'd out here, and let you walk alone

You know your man done gone

To the county farm, with all the shackles on

Baby, please don't go

Baby, please don't go down to New Orleans

You know I love you so

New Work From My Studio

2012-01-07T11:09:00.000-08:00

George Washington's Choppers, 2012

Annie Stromquist

photo-etching with watercolor

I've been working on a series of etchings based on abstracted teeth. This is the first finished one. The text on the left side reads:

Washington suffered from poor dental health in his younger years and lost his teeth at an early age. He had two sets of false teeth made by the most prominent American dentist of his day, Dr. John Greenwood. The dentures were created from hippopotamus ivory and gold. The upper and lower plates were joined by metal springs which pushed the plates against the upper and lower ridges of his mouth, holding them in place. Washington had to actively push his jaws together to chew. If he relaxed his mouth, it would pop open. Some historians wonder if this is why he looks stern in so many portraits.

Joe's Finds

2012-01-07T10:52:00.000-08:00

I never know what Joe is going to bring home from the weekend swaps and that is half the fun. Today, he found one of the iconic Obama posters by Shepard Fairey (which we'll hang so it is visible through the front window when the election heats up), a Japanese wall hanging with a gorgeous bird motif, and these fantastic wooden vessels:

Helen Frankenthaler

2012-01-02T06:47:00.000-08:00

I am sorry to read of the death of one of my favorite artists, Helen Frankenthaler. Her non-objective, color oriented works have always inspired me. She was curious, prolific and versatile, exploring printmaking alongside her primarily medium, painting.

Many art historical accounts miscredit Kenneth Noland and Morris Louis with originating Color Field painting, in which oil paint was thinned with turpentine and applied to raw canvas. I was pleased to read Roberta Smith clarify this in her NY Times tribute to Frankenthaler on December 27th. Noland and Louis visited Frankenthaler's studio and saw her working this way before they experimented with the process themselves.

Beginnings

2012-01-01T11:54:00.000-08:00

Gorgeous day here in Southern California! I'm spending time in the studio - such a pleasure. Hope you are spending your first day of the new year in happy ways, too.

Endings

2011-12-30T16:21:00.000-08:00

I'm back from Arkansas where we held a Memorial for Mom on the 27th in Hot Springs. Her wishes were to have the extended family and close friends gather informally to celebrate her life. That was exactly what we did and she would have loved it. One of her friends, Kay, who couldn't attend, wrote something to be read which I'll repeat here:

"I think the conversation that will forever stay with me and sums up the wonderful attitude Marian had about life and people was when she told me she knew her time was getting shorter and she just wanted me to remember she's had a wonderful, wonderful life and to remember she loved me! That was Marian."

Yes, that was my Mom.

After the Memorial, all the relatives (except for Bob, who was happy to have quiet time at home) went to Garvin Woodland Gardens to see the extraordinary light display. We had such a good time! I love each and every one of these terrific people and am so grateful to have had them all there.

Celebration Time

2011-12-16T16:00:00.000-08:00

Classes are done and grades are in! The Semester Break has begun! Yippee!

Honoring Romare Bearden

2011-12-15T15:49:00.000-08:00

With all the media hype these days about "art star" Damien Hirst and his tedious spot paintings, I was thrilled to read a recent article by Holland Cotter in the NYTimes about Romare Bearden. It is the centennial year of his birth and quite a few exhibitions of his work are appearing around the country including several in New York. Bearden is the real art star, in my opinion.

Here are some interesting facts about Romare Bearden I learned from Cotter's article:

1. Bearden was fortunate in being part of a culturally alert family, in getting a multilayered education and in having talents that extended beyond art to writing (he was a jazz lyricist) and social organizing (he became a founder of the Studio museum).

2. For almost three decades, until he was in his late 50s, he held a full-time job as a case worker in the New York City Social Services Department, with studio time available only at night and on weekends.

3. His generosity toward other, often younger artists was legendary.

4. The making of art did not come easily to him.

5. More than a decade of art making would pass, and a string of formal experiments, before Bearden would finally claim collage, considered his genius, as his primary medium.

Here are some examples of Romare Bearden's work:

Printmaking Class Update

2011-12-10T14:43:00.001-08:00

It's that time of year again - the end of fall semester. I thought the screenprinting group was particularly remarkable this term...quick to pick up on new skills, industrious and self-reliant, able to sort out problems, mindful of using time well and meeting deadlines. Here are some views:

Last work day of the semester

Oscar Rangel and his excellent poster

Paula Isenberg, a painter, created a screenprint based on a series of her paintings.

The last assignment involved layering with transparent ink. Janet Pineda very successfully

pushed the see-through and watercolor qualities of her inks to their fullest strengths.

Jack Roberts, an independent study student, focused this semester on

portraying world disasters. Here is his print about 9/11/2001.

Jennifer Warren has a couple more layers to complete on this piece, but it is already wonderful.

You can detect her excellent drawing skills. She teaches art at a socal high school and

I think her students are lucky to have her.

Now, on to the Intaglio classroom. This is the area where Breanne Patterson sat for at least six hours on the last work day. I took this shot at 9:28 p.m., two minutes before the end of class when I turn into a pumpkin. Breanne swore she'd finish cleanup by 9:30. I was dubious... what do you think?

Here is Breanne. She wasn't done with cleanup quite at 9:30, but she was finished really soon after.

I'll post some more prints from this semester soon....

Novels About the Northwest

2011-12-04T16:23:00.001-08:00

The Jump-Off Creek, by Molly Gloss, is a wonderful read about a women homesteading on her own in Oregon in the 1800's.

Brian Doyle's Mink River is a story about the people in a small town on the Oregon coast. There is a bit of wonderful Magical Realism and a lot of history packed into the story. I loved it.

Taos and Santa Fe

2011-11-29T08:01:00.001-08:00

Valerie guessed correctly where we were - Taos and Santa Fe, New Mexico. Here are some more pictures of that beautiful part of the world...

Inside the Taos Pueblo, which has been active for over a thousand years.

Joe, Lynn and Roger at the Gorge Grill in Taos.

At The Railyard in Santa Fe, which is now a large outdoor park housing public art,

Site Santa Fe (a contemporary art gallery), outdoor activity space, beautiful natural gardens, and restored historic buildings. It's such a good example of successfully updated public space.

The very popular "Yard Dog,"by artist Don Kennell, is installed for only a few months at The Railyard.

The Georgia O'Keefe Museum, presented as Georgia O'Keefe might have painted it.

A corner of artist Gustave Baumann's studio, housed at the New Mexico Museum of Art in Santa Fe.

Note the rich colors.

A Gustave Baumann woodcut.

BAMB! Up went the Christmas lights in Santa Fe's historic square the day after Thanksgiving.

Where Was Waldo?

2011-11-27T15:59:00.001-08:00

Or, actually, where were WE? Joe and I travelled last week to share Thanksgiving with friends/family Roger and Lynn O'Leary-Archer. Can you tell from the pictures where we were?

Anne Ryan's Black Line Woodcut Prints

2011-11-22T16:40:00.000-08:00

I've written about Anne Ryan's collages and now I've got to exclaim about her beautiful woodcuts. They are created by cutting an image into the wood with lines only, inking the surface in multiple colors through dabbing, painting, and rolling, and then printing the plate onto black paper. Wow!

You can see more examples here.

A Quick Trip

2011-11-19T09:00:00.000-08:00

A couple of weeks after Mom died, Joe suggested we fly to Portland for a long weekend as a sadness antidote. What a great idea!

We arrived mid day on Thursday, so we headed to Paragon's in the Pearl District for lunch. Here is Joe looking out the window while we wait for our meals. (I have to get his picture on the sly because he doesn't really like to pose.)

All weekend, the weather was cool, dry, breezy fall perfection. Since Portland has a lot of trees, colorful leaves graced the sidewalks everywhere.

Occupy Portland marched around the town one afternoon. Their camp was in a park just around the corner from our hotel. They invited all the homeless people to join them in the park. Even without the homeless people, Occupy is a huge group in Portland, many more than just this guy in my picture.

The Portland Art Museum had great shows. This is a detail of Chris Burden's Boats, a group of five or so in the main lobby.

Another show was taken from the Museum's huge collection of Japanese woodblock prints. It was an extensive, gorgeous show including both traditional and non-traditional subject matter and styles by historial and contemporary artists. This is another surreptitious shot of Joe.

In another nearby park, a large chess set is always in use. This father and son were having a good time playing. A crowd watched them for quite some time.

We had another meal at Pastini's in downtown Portland. My salad was delicious and I've now duplicated it at home: greens, white beans, tuna, thinly sliced red pepper, red onions and celery, capers, garlic, lemon and a red vinegar dressing. Yummm!

Marian Hughes Shuff, 7/20/1918 - 10/1/2011.

2011-11-17T14:27:00.001-08:00

My mother died on Saturday afternoon, October 1st. She died comfortably at home with Bob by her side.

She was a remarkable person and a woman ahead of her time. In her early twenties, she took flying lessons and flew a solo flight. In her mid twenties, she went to graduate school and began a career in personnel management. She married my father when she was twenty-eight. When that marriage ended in divorce twelve years later, she raised her children as a single mother while teaching and going to school toward a doctorate in education. She became a university professor and met the colleague who was to become her second husband. When she and Bob retired, Mom began taking art classes and became a prolific and celebrated regional artist.

As a mother, she was the best. Despite not having a dad at home during most of our young years, my brother and I shared a happy childhood full of closeness, fun and good times with a Mom who made sure we knew how much she loved us. She let me wear her beautiful bracelet, which we named "The Courage Bracelet," whenever I had to face something that scared me. When my brother's mathematical abilities became evident, she made sure he got the advanced education that kept him challenged. Mom subscribed to Ms. Magazine from its start and encouraged me and all my female cousins to read it. When I became a leader of a campus protest group in college and the administration sent her a letter admonishing me, she wrote them a reply that stated she believed in what I was doing and supported me totally. Due to Mom's influence, my brother and I both made risky career changes in our adult lives because we weren't afraid to try. Throughout our lives, she has been our champion, our problem solver and our friend.
__________
You can see Mom's art on her website, here.
You can read her obituary, which she wrote, herself, several years ago, here.
My cousin, Karyn, wrote a wonderful tribute to Mom on her blog, which you can read here. And my cousin, Megan, wrote a letter to Mom before she died, which follows:

Things I learned from my Aunt Marian, in no particular order:

* that children could be adored. I always knew my parents loved me, but I knew Marian adored Walt and Annie.

* that in some families, (lucky) kids got to drink one pop a day.

* that the road not taken doesn't matter. Once a decision is made, it shapes the path, so go with it.

* that you could get married at 50 and actually have over 40 years of marriage together! Who would have thought it?! (Since I got married at 40-ish, I'm shooting for 50 years.)

* that a painted threshold is an important first impression, one that many overlook.

* that having central air conditioning is an important selling point for a house.

* that people have definite preferences in how they put the toilet paper on the roll - some like it over the top and others like it flat against the wall.

* that Bill Clinton was an up and comer - and she and Bob recognized it early on.

* that you can be a single, divorced mother in the 60's and be successful professionally, personally and in all other ways.

* to follow your loves - in her case art, Bob, friends, and so many other things.

* that in a big house there is room for everything so it's actually easier to keep clean than a small one. (This was in answer to my question of why they built such a large house in Arkadelphia).

* to exercise body and mind if you want have a chance of living well into your nineties.

* that a comfortable chair, coffee and a newspaper or book every morning - next to your husband who is doing the same, is a wonderful way to start the day.

* that always showing interest in everyone - especially nieces and nephews - is very beneficial for the recipients of that attention.

* that a book called "Our Bodies Ourselves" existed and began changing the way I thought about myself as a young woman and provided lots of good information.

* That politics is interesting and important to discuss, but always from the perspective of a Democrat!

* That parties are important!

You've lived a life worth emulating and I'm so glad to have had your influence in my life. For the big things and the little, I love you.

Mom, enjoying the afternoon on her 90th birthday

Good News, Bad News

2011-09-29T16:03:00.000-07:00

My Mother was put on hospice two weeks ago. I flew to Arkansas to be with her, as did my brother, Walt, and niece, Susan. My cousin, Karyn, drove in from Kansas. We had been warned that she would go at anytime. But what we feared would be a sad gathering turned out to be a priceless gift of time for all of us, including my stepfather, Bob. Mom rallied and we all sat around her bed talking, telling stories, laughing and being together.

My Mother with her granddaughter, Susan Stromquist

Bob

Walt and Karyn (and stranger) waiting for take-out at the popular King Kone,

located up the street from my parents' home in Hot Springs.

Anybody know what a "Pickle Fizz" is???? (We forgot to ask.)

I'm home again and in touch by phone. Mom is comfortable and happy and Bob is with her. We know it won't be long. Please send your best thoughts our way.

Blue Skies Smiling at Me

2011-09-12T09:48:00.000-07:00

I swim daily at an outdoor pool. When I do the back stroke, I study the sky. Each day, the sky is always different.

In Remembrance

2011-09-11T07:31:00.000-07:00

These are two from a series I created during the fall of 2001, in response to the tragedy on September 11th.

Cry (1), 2001

mixed media on paper

Cry (2), 2001

mixed media on paper

A Feast for the Eyes

2011-09-09T15:44:00.000-07:00

The Moeller Fine Art Gallery in New York is currently hosting a terrific on-line show of woodcuts by Lyonel Feininger from his own collection. They are mostly small - not much larger than 2 x 4 inches. You can sign in (using the sign-in "woodcut" and password "feininger") to view twenty or so images at http://www.moellerfineart.com/ http://www.moellerfineart.com/ Take some time and treat yourself!

The Underbelly of the Printmaking World

2011-09-08T15:21:00.000-07:00

I know it comes as a surprise, but the printmaking world is not all glamour. Here are some pictures taken in the middle of last night's busy class session. Things can get pretty messy. Amazingly, the rooms were spic and span by the end of the evening.

Cool Bunny

2011-09-08T08:28:00.000-07:00

It's been HOT here, and the bunnies on campus are well aware. I like how the bunny in the foreground has adjusted to his patch of shade...

Can the Car Be A Tax Write Off?

2011-09-07T06:38:00.000-07:00

Here is one author's way of publicizing his books...

Effective Use of Graphic Black and White

2011-09-04T11:30:00.000-07:00

Antony Hare's illustration for the book review of Father of the Ghetto in today's NY Times is an excellent example of a composition contrasting black and white to great result.

More on Matthew Richardson

2011-09-03T10:08:00.000-07:00

Artist Matthew Richardson, whose illustrations I highlighted in a post about collage (see that post here), checked in to say hello. Hi back, Matthew! And thanks for becoming a follower of my blog.

Matthew has started his own blog, which I think is terrific. In it, he keeps us informed about what he is doing (a great way to see how one artist does it successfully), shares creative thoughts and visuals, and talks up the creative acts of others. All very inspiring. Check out Matthew's blog, Kingdom of Rubble, and don't miss his post about a great video of PJ Harvey's Let England Shake, available here.

Sock Monkey Portraits

2011-09-02T15:31:00.000-07:00

August was a very busy month of travel, syllabi preparation, and the beginning of the new semester on August 15th. But I still got in some great studio time and have a number of projects going. I've put those projects on hold for a bit, however, to do linoleum cuts. Some of my students are making linocuts and they've reminded me what a great printmaking process it is. Linocuts can produce prints with rich, strong graphic appeal and they can make an image with a profusion of patterning really sing.

I'm making a series of Sock Monkey Portraits, inspired by the collection of Ron Warren, photographed by Arne Svenson in a book published by Ideal World Books. I've been a sock monkey fan forever and their book is a favorite of mine. I'd been hoping to incorporate the spirit of this wonderful book in some sort of studio project and now I've found the way. Creating these portraits is darn fun.

In the photo above, I've just pulled a proof of "Buddy." Next, I'll let the proof instruct me on where to clarify or correct the image with more cuts on the lino plate. The final prints will be black on white paper and I'll probably add some watercolor to enhance the image.

The Mystery of the Pickled Beets

2011-09-01T10:43:00.000-07:00

I knew something blog-worthy would come along to get me back into it and this is it:

My friend, Cynthia, made pickled beets the other day. She had more than enough and offered a jar to me. (Oh boy! I LOVE pickled beets!) So, this morning Cynthia stopped by while I was out and left my jar on the front stoop. She called to say they were waiting for me there.

But they AREN'T there!

So, now you know the mystery of the Pickled Beets.

I'm calling Hercule Poirot.

Portland Cello Project Does Missy Elliott

2011-07-31T08:14:00.000-07:00

This is great! Hit the link below to see it on YouTube.
http://youtu.be/VJkhFH95sGA

Fun in the Studio

2011-07-30T07:54:00.000-07:00

Experimented with a variety of hand printing techniques yesterday. These are the two results I like the best... part of my garden series.

Fond of Making Lists?

2011-07-29T12:06:00.000-07:00

Me, too! And so are a lot of other people. See a fascinating exhibit of lists at the Morgan Library in New York and on their website. Here are a couple:

Can You Guess What This Is?

2011-07-28T13:55:00.000-07:00

Time's up! This is a model of a paper-bag-making machine from the late 1800's developed by Margaret E. Knight.

Sad News

2011-07-27T16:54:00.000-07:00

Long Beach based artist and friend, Victoria Damrel, died this morning after a long battle with cancer. Rest in peace now, special person.

Tomato Count

2011-07-27T07:39:00.000-07:00

Possums- 6; Us- 0. New strategies will soon go into effect.

Terry Frost

2011-07-24T16:03:00.000-07:00

I'm enamored these days by the work of British artist Terry Frost who had a long, happy career in printmaking. Here are some examples of his work:

Orchard Tambourines

set of 25 woodcuts, each sized 15"x 15"

Camberwell Green, 2001

aquatint with woodcut and 1 collage element

13" x 15"

untitled, 2002

etching and aquatint, 12" x 14"

Terry Frost

Happy 93rd, Mom!

2011-07-20T07:23:00.000-07:00

Today is a special day!

Learning About Encaustic

2011-07-15T15:47:00.000-07:00

My good friend, artist Judy Chan, has been working with encaustic lately and she invited me over yesterday to try it out. Now I'm hooked!

The Encaustic process involves brushing melted wax onto a drawing or painting, for example, and then using a heat gun or hot iron gizmo to blend and even out the surface. There are all sorts of things you can do beyond that, like gouging areas or lines, filling them with color, embedding things in the wax, and more. This process has been around for hundreds of years and has experienced a resurgence among contemporary artists, who have the benefit of modern tools that make it all easier.

Here is Judy's table top set-up: An electric griddle set at 200 degrees keeps cans of wax in a liquid state. Each can is a different color or type of wax. She works at the left, over sheets of wax paper that catch drips of wax that can be recycled. On the wall in the background, you can see the series of drawings Judy has been enriching with encaustic.

Here you can see the melted wax on the griddle, ready for use. A paint brush in each can sits at the ready.

This is my piece. After brushing the wax onto a drawing on paper that was then adhered to a wood surface, I'm using the heat gun to blend and even out the wax.

Here is my result. The encaustic deepened the richness of the colors of the drawing and gave a lovely patina to the surface.

Sidewalk Art

2011-07-14T06:11:00.000-07:00

What do Potatoes, Prince and Prints Have in Common?

2011-07-13T07:58:00.000-07:00

Prince Potato Prints, that's what! The artist Jason Polan has created a potato print of Prince (or The Artist Formerly Known as Prince) in an edition of ten, each hand colored with purple acrylic paint. Paper size: 4.5" x 6.7." See more of Jason Polan's delightful art by visiting his website here.

Despite My Clever Barrier

2011-07-13T06:32:00.000-07:00

Possums now 5; us still 0, darn it.

Call the Tomato Police!

2011-07-12T06:40:00.000-07:00

Just as they ripen to the yummy stage, tomatoes have gone missing from the robust plants at the side of our house. How? Who?

Now I know because of the evidence left this morning. The possum living under our house is having a night time snack. Score: Possum - 4, Us - 0.

More Than One Way to...

2011-07-11T08:10:00.000-07:00

Joe got tired of the pesky weeds by the alley gate, so he pulled them all out for the last time and built a nice concrete slab this weekend. That'll show them! We put our initials in it, too.

Artistic Melon

2011-07-10T12:15:00.000-07:00

My friend and neighbor, Loren, gave me this melon from the farmer's market. She thought I'd like it's lovely patterned skin and I do. Beautiful green and yellow rectangles on a creamy background. Reminds me of a Clyfford Still painting, but not his colors.

It was delicious!

Cy Twombly, Painter of Joy

2011-07-09T13:38:00.000-07:00

Cy Twombly died this week at age 83. He was a favorite artist of mine and I am sad to see him go. His work is now done, finite.

Here are some excerpts from his obituary by Randy Kennedy in the New York Times:

Twombly's childlike scribbles and poetic engagement with antiquity left him stubbornly out of step with the movements of postwar American art even as he became one of the era's most important painters.

He once practiced drawing in the dark to make his lines less purposeful, steadfastly follow[ing] his own program...

Twombly said "I have my pace and way of living and I'm not looking for something." Of reputation and artistic acclaim, he added: "It's something I don't think about. If it happens, it happens, but don't bother me with it. I couldn't care less."

Of Twombly's work, Roberta Smith wrote, "Few 20th-century artists corroborated as insistently Schiller's assertion that 'all art is dedicated to joy.'

Cy Twombly, in front of his work

Where I Spent The Day

2011-07-03T20:27:00.000-07:00

Drawing Table in My Studio

Happy Birthday, Nation!

Two Great Reads

2011-07-02T07:29:00.000-07:00

My recent flights just flew by, so to speak, because of two very good books, Major Pettigrew's Last Stand, a novel, and The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks, a combination science/human interest true story. I recommend them highly!

Tornado Aftermath, Six Weeks Later

2011-07-01T09:28:00.000-07:00

I've just returned from a visit to the midwest. Happy to see my parents doing well; good to catch up with family.

I was in tiny, wonderful Oswego, Kansas last week. Oswego is fifty miles away from Joplin, Missouri. You may recall all the news reports when a tornado ravaged that town six weeks ago. We drove over to Joplin one day to see the damage. It is almost unimaginable: a wide area of neighborhoods totally flattened; a huge hospital destroyed; commercial areas wiped out; miles of leafy, mature trees gone. Even now, despite massive clean up efforts, an eery pall prevails. Here are some pictures of what used to be a thriving community.

This Blog Isn't Just About Art

2011-06-18T19:45:00.000-07:00

Jell-O has been around since 1904. Pineapple Rice Jell-O Sponge Cake and Macaroon Velvet Jell-O Pudding were hugely popular desserts in the early 1900's. In fact, Jell-O salads were also popular at that time. Just imagine the taste sensations of Jell-O Salad with Shrimp and Orange, Jell-O with Steamed Spinach, and Tuna Fish Jell-O!

Here is the recipe for the award winning Tropical Dessert:

1 package Lemon Jell-O
1 pint boiling water
6 figs, finely chopped
12 dates, finely chopped
1 banana, thinly sliced
Dissolve Jell-O in boiling water. Chill. When slightly thickened, add fruits. Turn into mold Chill until firm. Unmold. Serve with whipped cream. Serves 8.

A Very Bright Full Moon Tonight...

2011-06-14T21:03:00.001-07:00

May it shine brightly on you all.

A New Publication About Prints

2011-06-12T11:00:00.000-07:00

I am excited to discover a new publication about prints, called Art in Print. It's first issue is free and can be downloaded from their website. After that, access to a PDF version is through subscription which is $50 for six issues a year. Sadly, no printed version is available at this point - it is all online. Probably a great money saving format, of course, but sort of ironic for a publication about prints not to be printed.

Nonetheless, the first issue looks great. Articles include an interesting interview with Deborah Wye, who for thirty-one years until she recently retired, was the Chief Curator of Prints and Illustrated Books at the print collection at the Museum of Modern Art.

In Honor of Today's Political Protests Everywhere

2011-06-11T10:55:00.000-07:00

A current exhibition at MOMA called Impressions from South Africa: 1965 to Now focuses on protest posters made by artists in response to apartheid. MOMA's website includes the following description of the vital role of printmaking in that movement:

"During the oppressive years of apartheid rule in South Africa, not all artists had access to the same opportunities. But far from quashing creativity, these limited options gave rise to a host of alternatives—including studios, print workshops, art centers, schools, publications, and theaters open to all races; underground poster workshops and collectives; and commercial galleries that supported the work of black artists—that made the art world a progressive environment for social change. Printmaking, with its flexible formats, portability, relative affordability, and collaborative environment, was a catalyst in the exchange of ideas and the articulation of political resistance."

Here are some prints from the exhibition:

You Have Struck a Rock, 1981

Medu Art Ensemble

screenprint

Workers Rights in a New South Africa, 1989

artist uncredited; publisher: Congress of South African Trade Unions

offset-printed sticker

Witch Hunt, 1988

Norman Catherine

one from a series of four drypoints with watercolor

Meeting of Two Cultures, 1993

Sandile Goje

linoleum cut

You can view the online MOMA exhibition here and buy the excellent catalog here.

SoCal's June Gloom Season

2011-06-11T07:14:00.000-07:00

This time of year, mornings are cool and overcast. The sun might peek out in the afternoon, but only for a while. I love this weather! Great for walking. And, somehow, the cloudiness enhances the terrific summer color.

Sophie's Take on the Studio Tour

2011-06-10T10:43:00.000-07:00

Unimpressed. He is still disgruntled about all those visitors interrupting his routine and nap time.

Hello Again! It's Nice to Be Back.

2011-06-09T14:26:00.000-07:00

It's been a busy few months, culminating in last weekend's Mid-City Studio Tour in Long Beach. And what a great weekend it was! We all thought it was a success - perfect weather, lots of visitors to each studio, happy encounters, good conversations, sales. I loved having the help again this year of my artist niece, Susan Stromquist, who flew in from Philadelphia.

There is something very special about showing off a creative work space not often open for view. A studio is normally a private place where an artist can relax with ideas, experiments, processes, failures and successes - a place of many internal conversations. So, to open it up to friends and strangers is quite a change of pace. But there is a sweet reward for all the organizing, cleaning, preparations - the pride of presenting to others one's own art on one's own studio walls in one's very own personal space.

Here are a few pictures:

Entryway to my studio

My studio, all dressed up.

Another view of my studio

A third view including my etching press

Susan at the studio door

Gail Werner with one of her encaustic monoprints.

JoAnne Berke stands next to the display of her jewelry.

Carol Roemer stands in her studio.

Gisele and Kim Hocking at Greenley Art Space.

John Montich in front of his photo works.

The artists' after-party in Slater Barron's back yard on Sunday evening

CiCi, an art enthusiast.

Have a Happy Few Months and Then...

2011-04-14T08:56:00.000-07:00

...come during the weekend of June 4th and 5th to my studio during the Long Beach Mid-City Studio Tour! I'd love to see you. For more information, visit our tour's website at midcitystudiotour.com.

Six by Six: Meditations (2), 2010

collage, ink, watercolor, pastel, 6"x6"

one of a series of 36 collages

I'll be back to this blog after the tour.

5th Biennial Long Beach Mid-City Studio Tour Coming Soon!

2011-04-06T13:23:00.000-07:00

Please join us for a self-guided artists' studio tour the first weekend in June! Free, open to the public. 11- 5 on Saturday and Sunday, June 4th and 5th. For more information about the fifteen participating artists and their work, visit our informative website at midcitystudiotour.com.

A Little Humor

2011-04-06T12:10:00.000-07:00

Here's a bumper sticker I saw today:

I AM PRO NOUN

I'm Back!

2011-03-30T13:00:00.000-07:00

Spent some time in Arkansas with my parents. They are doing well, thank you!

You can see this sign in the Las Vegas airport. I was both surprised and disconcerted by it, but hope it will be as ineffective as the sign I saw on the LBCC campus yesterday:

Hope you are having a good day!

All Our Good Wishes Focus On Japan

2011-03-13T18:05:00.000-07:00

The Great Wave Off Kanagawa

by Hokusia Katsushika, 1760-1849

These Just In...

2011-03-12T11:29:00.000-08:00

Advanced screenprinters have finished Project 2, which involves using found or cut shapes with photo-emulsion to create nonobjective images. I think their results are stunning...

Sam Buenrostro

Melvin Mantanona

Amy Caves

Pablo Sandoval

Noah Gonzalez

"My Kid Could Do That"

2011-03-10T10:15:00.000-08:00

A painting by Cy Twombly, one of my

favorite abstract artists.

Researchers at Boston College conducted a study in which art students and non-experts were asked to judge which painting was better in each of a series of two in which one was created by a professional artist and the other was created by a child or animal. Even when labels were reversed, participants preferred the professional abstract painting. So, it is more true that "my kid couldn't do that."

Today's Visit Was a Shocker

2011-03-08T15:03:00.000-08:00

One of my favorite haunts in Long Beach is the local Fabric Barn, where they feature aisles and aisles of gorgeous ribbons offered at deeply discounted prices. You can buy a yard or the whole spool. Fill a bag without emptying the coin purse.

THINGS HAVE CHANGED! All those aisles are gone. I couldn't even find the ribbon section and had to ask! But I still managed to come away with some great finds in happy spring colors.

So, happy, colorful spring to you, too! It's almost here.

KU BEATS MIZZOU 70 TO 66!!!

2011-03-05T11:25:00.001-08:00

A Funny Story About My Aunt Janet

2011-03-04T15:26:00.000-08:00

A few months after my aunt became a widow ten years ago, she realized she needed a new car. Uncle Bob had done the car shopping for them, so this project could have been daunting. Yet Janet embraced it. She bought a bunch of car magazines and read up on styles, mileage comparisons and emissions reports. And in a month, she'd successfully negotiated for a new Toyota matrix, naming it "Mr Zippy." This all happened just before Christmas that year.

She proudly drove Mr. Zippy to a club meeting during the first week of ownership. It was the annual Christmas party and the president opened the celebration with the question, "What would you like for Christmas?" and asked Janet to go first.

Janet said, "Well! I'm glad you asked! I want a front license plate for my new car that says 'Mr. Zippy.' I want a bright red one with big letters that show up really well. I want the letters to be white, but yellow would be a good second choice." And she went on and on about the importance of getting this thing just right and then ended with, "So, that is what I want for Christmas and I'm telling everyone that's what I want to make sure I get it."

The president thanked her and moved to the next person, who said, "I want world peace." And then everyone else said the same thing.

Janet loved telling this story on herself.

Sad News

2011-03-02T12:29:00.000-08:00

My beloved aunt, Janet Carpenter, died this morning. She knew last week, at the end of a hospital stay with lots of tests, that she would go soon and chose to be home for her last days. She was surrounded with family and friends and many phone visits from those of us who were far away.

I'll miss her tremendously.

And Even More Comics

2011-02-26T08:58:00.000-08:00

Jim Unger, creator of Herman, and Jerry Van Amerongen, creator of Ballard Street, are two of my favorite comic artists because of their deadpan humor.

Jim Unger often includes patterns in his work, applying them flatly without regard to traditional approaches to representing visual depth and volume. His iconic character types are exquisite.

Jerry Van Amerongen likes creating dramatic black and white contrasts in his compositional elements. He, too, draws great iconic character types. Here, with a few simple lines supported with bold black shadows, he achieves a striking, moody atmosphere.

This is a comic I've often reprinted on color mixing handouts for my screenprinting class.

Yes, haha. Artists need to consider the bottom line, too.

More Comics

2011-02-25T13:30:00.000-08:00

Over the years, I've collected comics with an art theme and here are a few, for your amusement:

More Cover Art From Mathematics Magazine

2011-02-24T09:52:00.000-08:00

My niece, Susan Stromquist, created the art for the February, 2010 issue. She's Walt's daughter (nepotism, again). She, too, was working outside the box to make this image. See examples of her typical artwork on her website.

I'm not sure who was the artist who created this cover.

Amy Uyeki created the cover art for the October, 2010 issue. She is a cousin (we are a large family with many artists).

And another cover... I think Walt built this art from a diagram contained in one of the articles.

Thinking Outside the Box

2011-02-22T08:34:00.000-08:00

Recently, I was given the opportunity to create cover art for an upcoming issue of Mathematics Magazine, which is published by the Mathematical Association of America. My brother, Walter Stromquist, is the current editor of the Magazine, which might explain why I got the project (pure nepotism).

My job was to create an illustration related to one of articles featured inside. Working from summaries Walt sent me, I had to come up with an idea and then bring it to life in visual form. All this meant working in a way I don't normally and with unfamiliar subject matter. Quite a challenge!

Here's my illustration that will appear on the April cover. It refers to an article discussing how to draw an hyperbola using a pencil, a straw, and a string. The pattern on the male's sweater refers to another article about spacing checkers on checkerboards.

Because I'd never worked in a comics frame style, I needed to research that particular kind of drawing. I studied a variety of comic strips to see how heads attach to bodies, how people are portrayed in profile, how depth is shown in such a simplified format, how mouths look open and closed, and facial characteristics. I realized that the special challenge of the comics style is to reduce complex visuals to basic lines, patterns and compositions without losing information, clarity of message and expressiveness.

It was a really fun project and I learned a lot!

Dramatic Views Between Rain Storms

2011-02-19T10:01:00.000-08:00

I snuck in a brisk walk this morning between heavy rainstorms in SoCal. Lots of other hill walkers had the same idea, but I didn't run into my pals Richard and Maria Harris. I think they usually go a bit later.

The air was cool, fresh and spring-like; the clouds were dancing:

Looking up toward the top of Signal Hill from the midway point below

Looking from the top of Signal Hill toward the ocean, port, and downtown Long Beach

Update from Arkansas

2011-02-18T16:16:00.000-08:00

The day after the armed break-in to my parents' home, I asked my mother how she was feeling about it. She said, "Well, Bob and I should have handled the situation better. We should have just told that man to LEAVE." Since then, she hasn't mentioned the incident...perhaps an upside of short term memory loss.

And Life Goes On...

2011-02-18T09:22:00.000-08:00

I'm pleased to have been asked to contribute work to an upcoming group exhibition at Golden West College Fine Art Gallery. The show will include a wide variety of print media and visual styles by ten Southern California artists including Roxanne Sexauer, my former excellent teacher and one of my favorite SoCal printmaking artists.

You all are invited to the opening:

Opening Reception: Thursday, March 3rd, 7-9 p.m.

Golden West College Fine Art Gallery

Golden West College

15744 Goldenwest Street

Huntington Beach, CA 92647

call 714-895-8772 for more information

A 22 Caliber Hand Gun

2011-02-17T09:28:00.000-08:00

My Valentine's Day musings seem, suddenly, to be a part of the distant past. On Tuesday night, my parents' home was broken into by a crazed man with a gun. He was seeking money from their caregiver, a friend of his. He fired the gun, hitting no one, fortunately, and then fled. The police are looking for him.

A 22 caliber hand gun can be purchased online with 53 dollars and an adult signature upon delivery.

And A More Modern Take

2011-02-13T16:49:00.000-08:00

Hearts for You, 2003

screenprint

Have a great Valentine's Day!

And, Now, My Favorite From 1933

2011-02-11T19:38:00.000-08:00

Outside

Inside

In Honor of One of My Favorite Holidays

2011-02-10T12:05:00.000-08:00

Joe found some great Valentine cards from the 1930's at the swap and here is a sampling. I surmise that animal themes were big then.

Next time, I'll post my favorite one!

Announcing: Mid City Studio Tour 2011

2011-02-08T21:47:00.000-08:00

Time for our biennial event! YOU are invited to my studio and 16 others in Long Beach on the weekend of June 4th and 5th. A rare opportunity to see the private work spaces of artists working in a variety of mediums. Save the date. More details to come!

Collaborative Prints

2011-02-07T22:14:00.000-08:00

When screenprinting, the screen is attached by hinges to a back board, which serves as the surface on which the paper rests during printing. Back boards get stained with drips and drabs of ink over time and some have developed quite beautiful abstract images. Here are a few from our classroom:

He Meant It As A Compliment So I'll Take It That Way

2011-02-07T12:26:00.000-08:00

I was doing my regular walk on Signal Hill the other day, when on a long downhill slope I crossed paths with three teenage boys. They were doing a complicated, fast paced two step run up the hill. I yelled, "Wow! You are very impressive!" One of them replied, "Thanks! But I think YOU are impressive, walking at your age!"

Artist Sergej Jensen

2011-01-28T10:32:00.000-08:00

I've just discovered the wonderful work of German artist Sergej Jensen, whose show at MoMA PS 1 is reviewed by Roberta Smith in this morning's New York Times. She describes his show of fabric collage paintings as "quiet but fiercely beautiful."

Jensen describes his stitched cloth work as "painting without paint." Here are some examples:

Happy 91st, Bob!

2011-01-25T11:43:00.001-08:00

My step-father, Robert Shuff, turns 91 today. A very impressive 91, too.

The March to "First Print Day"

2011-01-25T09:22:00.000-08:00

Our screen cabinet is filling up with freshly prepped new screens from the intro class mixed with the well used ones of the advanced students. On Wednesday, I'll do the "how to print" demo for the new students and then, the fun is all theirs!

Swapmeet Roundup

2011-01-25T09:13:00.000-08:00

Joe's been having a good time at the swap these last couple of weekends. Here are a few of the goodies he's brought home:

A series of ARTFORUM magazines from the 1980's. What fun to review some recent art history!

A pair of cast iron crowned frogs. These guys look like they think they rule the world.

An old, graciously shaped teapot

A stunning traditional still life painting. No wonder flowers are a favorite subject matter.

A Great Studio Day

2011-01-21T16:21:00.000-08:00

I'm working on an idea for a new series of screenprints about my garden. The technical part will focus on making transfer drawings by hand on paper and then translating them at the computer into stencils for photo-emulsion screens. In the picture below, you can see a sketch for my first one.

Transfer drawings are challenging because, by nature, the results are hard to control and unpredictable. Even though it usually takes many attempts before arriving at a good one, a successful transfer drawing is always much more interesting, to my eye, than a straight-forward one.

In the picture above, I've used the brayer to roll out a thin, even layer of ink on my glass topped work table. Next, I'll lay a sheet of paper over the ink and draw on the back. The pressure of the drawing implement pulls ink up on the other side. Along the way, ink transfers unpredictably in other areas, too, creating an atmospheric effect, which is the beauty of transfer drawing.

There are examples of transfer drawings on my website.

Intaglio Class Portfolio Exchange

2011-01-20T10:29:00.000-08:00

During last night's session, the ten of us participating in last semester's portfolio project completed our exchange of prints. Each of us now owns a portfolio of ten gorgeous prints:

Jellies

Tamara Carlin

viscosity print

untitled

Shu-Yun Shih

drypoint

untitled

Mary Coromelas

soft ground etching

Rose

Roger O'Leary-Archer

hard ground etching with aquatint

Cityscape

William Kenah

linoleum/monoprint/etching with aquatint

untitled

Lorraine Papadopoulos

etching

Scraped Off My Knees

Bryant Schumacher

monoprint

The Insatiable Beast

Katharine Gross

etching with aquatint and drypoint

Lone Sentinel

Martin Salazar

drypoint

Nest

Annie Stromquist

Etching with aquatint and added watercolor

Hello! I'm Back!

2011-01-19T15:29:00.000-08:00

Zoom-Zoom!

All is well here, just terribly busy with the beginning of school and what seem like a million other things. I've been racing around this last week and not feeling the least bit "blog creative." I'll be back tomorrow with some new stuff...

A Fresh Semester, A Ready Classroom

2011-01-10T12:55:00.000-08:00

Here is the way the screenprinting classroom looked at 7:53 this morning. By 9:00, the tables were full of new students. Today's agenda: review the syllabus, assignments, and supply list. Like most first days. Thirty students...looks like a good group, so far.

The International Printing Museum

2011-01-09T16:20:00.000-08:00

I'd heard from many enthusiastic people about the International Printing Museum in Torrance but hadn't yet made a trip of my own. Yesterday, I did. What an impressive place!

Located in an industrial park, there is plenty of room for all the vintage presses and cases of typeface.

Many of the presses, no longer produced, are still in good running order.

This is an old fashioned newspaper printing press.

This operator is typing on an old linotype machine which sets rows of type.

Here, the crowd is watching the press operator print on a letterpress.

The International Printing Museum is open on Saturdays from 10 to 4. Tours are given to guests and you can also nose around on your own. There are many, many fascinating things to see.

Last fall, the new Book Arts Institute moved in to one of the building on site. The Institute sponsors many excellent montly programs on printing, bookbinding, papermaking, and more. Yesterday's program was a collagraph demonstration by artist Sandy Cvar.

One Final Plug for Hot Springs, Arkansas

2011-01-08T09:48:00.000-08:00

Hot Springs is named for the natural springs of the area. These springs inspired Bath House Row, built in the early 1900's, which provided bathing areas, massages, and other health related services to many, including the most popular movie stars of the era who flew in for vacations. Beautifully renovated today, Bath House Row is a wonderful place to visit in Hot Springs.

While in Arkansas for the holidays, we visited Buckstaff Bath House for two hours of warm, natural springs soaking, steaming, and massages. Buckstaff is one of the few remaining active Baths; the other historic buildings along the avenue are museums, hotels, and more modern spas. In operation without break since 1910, Buckstaff still has it's original plumbing, tubs, and elegant marble floors and walls. It is a beautifully maintained piece of history.

And.... we got "TV Parking!" (A term applied to that uncanny ability of all characters in TV shows and movies to always find parking spots in front of their destinations.)

Vintage Optical Test

2011-01-06T07:08:00.000-08:00

When viewing through a special lens, some people would see the dog positioned in mid jump halfway through the loop on the pig's back. So, proof that sometimes we all see differently...

Funny Animal Voiceovers

2011-01-02T10:02:00.000-08:00

I think you'll enjoy this segment from the BBC. Just click on the picture.

Art for All Purposes

2011-01-01T13:21:00.000-08:00

My artist niece, Susan Stromquist, is completing a post-baccalaureate year at the Pennsylvania Academy of the Fine Arts in Philadelphia. The Printmaking Department there goes all out each holiday season with a show and sale, and here are some of Susan's creative finds there:

An original screenprinted card by alias Dunno

Another original screenprinted card by alias Dunno

a screenprinted card by alias Dunno

an original screenprinted card by M. Knabelsdorf

It's Good to Be Home! And More...

2010-12-31T10:20:00.000-08:00

How nice to be home again! Joe is good, Sophie is good, life in SoCal is good.

And to inspire a creative new year for us all, my last post for 2010 is a great quote from my favorite art critic, Roberta Smith, in today's NY Times:

"Paintings, like poetry or music, are essential nutrients that help people sustain healthy lives. They're not recreational pleasure or sidelines. They are tools that help us grasp the diversity of the world and its history, and explore the emotional capacities with which we navigate that world. They illuminate, they humble, they nurture, they inspire. They teach us to use our eyes and to know ourselves by knowing others."

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

Last Night Walk

2010-12-29T18:42:00.000-08:00

My stepfather is stronger and my mother is well again. The holidays were happy - family, togetherness. I fly home tomorrow.

Now, a last walk around the Village. It's warm, wet from a long rain. Once again, the quiet of the night is soothing. I feel a sense of timelessness. I think good things can happen: that the world will find peace, that people will chose kindness, and that aging parents can somehow live happily ever after.

Fabulous Light Show

2010-12-24T19:55:00.000-08:00

Each Christmas season, the acres of tall pines, gardens, and trails of Garven Woodland Gardens in Hot Springs are decorated with millions (quite literally) of colorful lights and opened for public viewing after nightfall. Walt, Mary, Susan and I had our turn this evening, and it was even more amazing than we expected. A light drizzle enhanced the sense of other worldliness. Here are a few pics:

Susan, Mary, and Walt Stromquist

Merry Christmas to those who celebrate it. And may the new year bring health and happiness to all.

Homecoming for the Miracle Man

2010-12-22T10:14:00.000-08:00

Bob arriving home with his care giver, Melvin Marshall

HE'S HOME!!!! My 92 year old stepfather, who fell and broke his neck three months ago, is finally home at last. He spent the first couple of weeks after his fall in the hospital and the rest of the time in rehab, relearning how to walk, talk clearly, and maneuver around. Now, although his ride home was in a wheel chair, he can get around the house with a walker and function well on his own or with a little help from Melvin. It took hard work and a lot of determination. So, that's why I've nicknamed Bob the Miracle Man.

All good news here!