Hello Dear friends and Ohana!
How Ah Ya?
Well... Been working on a LOT lately!
a commission for a logo (i rarely take commissions,but this one wasn't too much work...)
Also,last minute mug stuff (box labels,etc) glaze approvals...
and paintings for the Nov. Tiki Farm 15 year Anniversary Exhibition!
and,of course...
the 4-day work week..
it does get taxing,
but weariness is just a sign
that a lot of good stuff is getting done!
Let me reply to some friends
and then we'll get cracking
on catching y'alls up with
some of the exciting things and
special moments that have been kind enough to circle the studio...
On 2015-09-14 08:30, danlovestikis wrote:
I really enjoyed seeing the photo of you painting. When you are "down to work" you look very handsome. That photo shows your serious side. Concentrating to produce wonderful tiki art. It's a perfect day when you post here. I enjoy your poetic comments too. Wendy
Why thank you Wendy!i think our true selves bubble up when immersed in the act of producing art...it just kinda slips out of it's own accord and guides the piece... i imagine that's when we all look our best...You are just the sweetest art sister anyone could have!
On 2015-09-15 19:55, RVICTOR wrote:
Dont sell yourself short LLT. After studying Picasso myself and discovering the design elements that he incorporates into his work, I can spot the same elements being used in other peoples work from time to time. While you have a style all your own, I see some of those same elements buried in your work. It's cool to see, hense the reference.
If it's intentional, I praise you for your scholarship. If its unintentional, then your either channeling Picasso or he's taken possession of your body...either way keep painting until you physically can't do it anymore...then seek an exorcist.
Your work is always interesting and fun too look at. Love the Tiki Farm stacking bowls.
Aloha RVictor! and thank you again for your insightful posts...
Being an artist first
and Tiki artist second
I have always had a love for Artists and Art history
spanning across All Cultures and Time Periods..
Bruegel,Blake,Bosch,Durer,Hokusai,Thomas hart Benton,Diego Rivera,Dali,Picasso,jack Kirby...
These and many more i have admired and delved into their work,lives,and times...
Each one has certain narratives,certain underlying messages/opinions,and special symbols that act as a strange cast of characters to each artist's work...
The more an artist of today can learn and expand upon any of these masters
the more likely that Fine Art will survive and retain some of the roots that made it great
Unlike the jumbled branding and celebrity spotlight spectacle that high art has become today.
So yes...Sir... Picasso dared and took chances...not many artists do that..have the confidence for that...wish to gamble with their audience/popularity...but THAT is where the truly exciting and surprising stuff is born!And while there are many artists who achieve great works and stay within a comfortable realm,Picasso is king of just going for it...
Creativity is a gift every time it visits..it is the artist's duty to do their research,keep up practice ,and to always try new things that inspiration lays before them...
Mahalo for the visit and I'm happy that they provide an enjoyable interesting experience!
:)
Well, it's BECAUSE of this upcoming exhibition that i am able to share a thing of
Absolute beauty with you all...
Here is the story of how a painting frame is born!
Well, "Too Much Information" the 24 x 36" showcase piece for my offerings to the exhibit
needed a frame that would compliment and elevate this masterwork...
Step One...
sketch out some motifs...
Arrange them in a few configurations...
Well, after sending these to Monkeyman Derek Weaver
and allowing him ample breathing room to follow HIS creative voice
He melded our two aesthetics and ....
MAGIC was MADE!
Here is a closeup tour of his Breathtaking frame for this piece...
First off, notice how he captured the Ruzic Wonkiness with a frame that is NOT
a straight edged member of the frame community
but an assembled and
slightly jumbled collection
of what appears to be
wooden blocks carved with tapa-ish elements...
Derek used both router and chisel to translate this into reality...
He nailed that skull!
And his care and attention to this simple landscape just made my eyes GLOW!
Another great detail he carried from the studies
were the wood distressing and cracks that i like to use...
you can see these on both the seahorse and the tribal mark next to the landscape....
Here's a close-up of the Seahorse...
Such Texture! He added some stitching to the drum
which resembled a root beer float until the addition...
Good Call!
Here's a FISH!
Some more Masterful Texture!
Here's a close-up of the coconut mug.
Please notice the clever way Derek carved this...
it's tri-level!
Some flowers,tapa markings,and a signature Maori face...
Again,notice the weathered wood markings...Perfect!
It's amazing the amount of detail and texture crammed into each area...
and man! Running one's hand along it
is like a smooth chocolate creamy tapa braille...
mmmmm...
What's a frame without a modernist Pineapple?
Lil PNG face and another fishy!
This is a good picture to appreciate the "stacked" look of the frame areas...
and we end our around-the-frame tour with a sun,
a gorgeous leaf
and a cleverly executed starfish...
See? i told you it was STUNNING!!!
Well...as each piece for this show becomes more completed
i have to start showing details
until RIGHT BEFORE the exhibit...
So here are a few of the areas and progress made
on the "Too Much Information" piece...
a Detail of the table top
with PiNGo looking up in surprise at the Information being revealed...
This clever Moai on the foreground bowl
gives us the "A-OK" sign concerning said confession being overheard...
The Kolohe/Crybaby mug got a bit more attention this weekend...
Worked on some of the lighting from the colored fish floats...
and enhanced this croc/bird sculpture on a high shelf...
Here's a detail of the lamp so far...
Now... one of the requirements of this exhibit
is to include our TikiFarm 15 year anniversary mugs
in the painting....
So, here is my "Poko-Ono" mug/shotglass
looking pretty good so far
in the Open Line glaze colorway of this design...
More details and actual photos SOON!
I believe it's due for release in November...
Well... there's more to share,
but I'm gonna hold back
and just let all of this soak in....
Thank you for the visits and comments
They always bring tropical warmth to the studio
and my heart...
