Bunga Bangkai

I gave you a peek at this a while back: "Bunga Bangkai", 9.25" x 21.5", acrylic on wood. This is my contribution to the Sea No Evil Art Show which benefits the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society. The show is June 30th at the Riverside Municipal Auditorium in Riverside, Ca and Ed and I will be making the trip out to attend. It's a silent auction (there are talks to open up bidding to phone and online guests too so stay tuned) and there is an amazing list of artists who are donating work this year. It would be wonderful to meet some of my California fans in person so why not stop by! You can bid on some cool art, listen to music and hear Captain Paul Watson (founder of the Sea Shepherd Conservation Society) and Captain Peter Hammarstedt and the crew featured on the popular Animal Planet series, “Whale Wars”.

Yes, the show is benefiting an organization that preserves and protects the oceans of the world, but I was struck with inspiration from the rainforest. This piece is based on the Amorphophallus titanum or titan arum or corpse flower ('bunga bangkai' means corpse flower in Indonesian) which can grow to 10 feet tall. When in flower it smells of rotting flesh (even heating up to mimic a decaying body temperature) to attract carrion beetles and flesh flies to help pollinate it. I've been eyeing this beauty up for years now (after first reading about it in a specialty plant catalog) and it slipped my mind as of late. While I was wandering the house looking for an idea to paint, Ed conveniently reminded me of it. Once I saw that it grew from a corm (the world's largest, weighing in at around 110 lbs) I knew it was the perfect addition to my plant portrait series.

I also decided to take progress photos and put them together in a little video that makes me smile. I hope you enjoy it too.

I'm so happy that I was able to contribute to this incredible show which is helping a truly worthwhile cause. 

 

Amazing New Prints On Wood

The fine people over at Prints on Wood just released these amazing prints! Just in case you don't know, these images are printed directly onto the wood! This makes each one unique because of the beautiful wood grain showing through. I also love working with these guys because they use sustainable woods and $1 of every purchase goes to plant a tree with the Plant a Billion Trees charity by The Nature Conservancy. I'm honored to be among the other amazing artists they have (Caia Koopman, Jeff Soto, Jeremiah Ketner, Lola and Lou Pimentel) so go have some fun shopping! Not only will you brighten up your home but you'll plant a tree :D

Doodlin'

I spent the better part of the day Sunday sitting at my dining room table with 40 prints and a fine point sharpie. These are the result, Limited Edition Doodled Prints (10 each character), hand signed and numbered, available at Swoon Gallery for $50 a piece. Email Ally at hello@swoongallery.com to get yours today!

 

Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk

My friend Cynthia is taking part in the Out of the Darkness Overnight Walk in San Francisco to benefit the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention and raise awareness and funding for suicide/depression research. She’s lost three immediate family members to the disease and battled it herself. I, too, have grappled with the black dog. I'd love to help her raise money for her walk :)
http://theovernight.donordrive.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=donorDrive.participant&participantID=5049

I'm Not Hungry

***UPDATE*** These little guys have sold already but after talking with Ally at Swoon Gallery, I've decided to work up a special 'doodle edition' of prints. They will be 8" x 10", signed, numbered (10 for each character) and I'm going to do a little hand drawn ink doodle on the bottom. If you're interested email Ally at hello@swoongallery.com for information! Thank you!***

 

Just finished up four new pieces for a sweet little online show at Swoon Gallery I'm calling, 'I'm Not Hungry'. May I present:

"Moostash", 5" x 7" acrylic on wood

"Effelant", 5" x 7" acrylic on wood (SOLD)

"Skwoil", 5" x 7" acrylic on wood (SOLD)


and finally, "Boid", 5" x 7" acrylic on wood 

The show will be 'live' in a week but if you email Ally at Swoon Gallery you can get a preview and purchase information right now. Contact hello@swoongallery.com

Art Takes Times Square

I saw this on the local news the other day and thought it would be neat to see what it was all about:

"This summer Chashama and the Times Square Alliance is working with Artists Wanted to present artists from around the world in brilliant lights on a massive scale in one of the most iconic locations in the world. You are invited to participate in: Art Takes Times Square."

Seems like a neat idea, so I put together a little profile and now it's up to you, my dear readers, to help me out. If you like my work and would like to see it shown on one of the Times Square billboards (holy cow!), then please take a second and click "Collect Me" at the top of my profile here to help me win a show in the most immense exhibition of art in New York City.

Thank you!