Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Vancouver Sketches
These are mostly from coffee houses. From where I was sitting, I had a good view of people ordering and then getting lids/ cream and sugar. Generally I had about 30 seconds to get the drawing. The baristas were pretty fast....
Sunday, July 15, 2007
On the Road Again..
I've been in Vancouver once or twice before, but it was for work, so didn't get to explore much. Doesn't really count. This time, I got a lot more wandering in. Ken and Mary have a few places here, so I bounced between two of them, both a few blocks from Stanley Park or a few blocks from the beach, depending on which direction I head out in. I spent a lot of time walking around the city and the beaches. Went through China Town and got a lot of good painting reference, even made it to a Jazz club and got some got some good musician reference. Were heading back to Seattle tonight and then Portland in the morning. As soon as I can get my sketches digitized, Ill post them!
-A
-A
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
How I started out for Portland and ended up in Vancouver...
No, I did not miss an exit and end up in Vancouver, Washington... I'm actually in Vancouver BC.
True to form, I don't plan anything when I travel. I just load up my car with things I think I might need or dont want to be caught without. As I was leaving my house, I saw my passport on the bookshelf and thought what the hell... you never know.
I took the long way up here: 101 to San Francisco, spent a very enjoyable night at a friends apt., jumped back on the 101 and rolled into Gold Beach Oregon at about 10pm (after many "hmmm... wonder where that road goes" inspired detours, a couple of walks on the beach and of course I HAD to drive through the giant redwood car tunnel). Interesting thing about Gold Beach. Everything, and I mean absolutely everything shuts down by 10pm. Hotels, Motels, gas stations.... everything. Shocking to a city girl like myself. So I pulled over into the (cover your ears mom...) darkest hotel parking lot I could find and had a lovely night's sleep in my car.
The next morning, up bright and early, I continued up the coast and ended up at the Cape Lookout Campsite (with an unexpected bonus: they had showers!!). From there I headed north a little while longer until I realized I was actually getting tired of driving after 3 days. I found an east bound road and made it to Portland sometime around noon. Ken (who's studio I'm visiting) was particularly relieved to see me. Change of plans and he'd misplaced my cell number-- he needed to head off to Vancouver in a few hours and the maintenence crew was changing all of the locks in the building ( they had lost some keys). We had lunch with a very nice guy from the Army Corps of Engineers (they're neighbors to the studio) and somehow by the end of that lunch, we had all decided that the best thing for me to do was to jump back into the car and head up to Vancouver with Ken. It had something to do with the number of galleries here, a Monet exhibit, and a pretty happening music scene (i.e. lots of reference for my musician series). It had absolutely nothing to do with fantastic weather, an empty penthouse with a swimming pool and getting to hang out a little bit with Ken and his wife Mary. So here I am. Drinking coffee in Vancouver, and updating my blog.
So here are a few highlights/observations/whatever...
My first stop for gas was in East Palo Alto. East Palo Alto is not the same as Palo Alto. I was greeted by a crack head lady asking very nicely (all things considered) for some cash. When I said no, she became less polite and called me a few bad names. Screamed them actually. I thought it was a fantastic welcome to the bay area.
Gas prices are significantly lower in Oregon. My tank was pretty low when I hit Crescent City at the top of California. Not so low that I couldnt make the 10 miles to the first town but I gassed up anyway. I was pretty pissed off when I passed the gas stations in Brookings OR that were a full 50 cents a gallon lower. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
Later I discovered something that apparently everyone except for me knows: You are not allowed to pump your own gas in Oregon. I tried. They really dont like it when you do that. Apparently its illegal. No one knows why though...and believe me, Ive been asking around. The official story is that it keeps insurance costs down for the stations. A comparitive study between Washington and Oregon insurance rates, though, shows little difference (I dont know who did the study). Regardless, it is kind of nice to have someone pump your gas for you...now that Its not completely unexpected.
At an out of the way diner somewhere near the top of California, I sat at the bar top for lunch and coffee where I could very easily hear the conversations at the waitress station. A couple came in and sat somewhere behind me in a booth. When the waitress went over to take the order, the couple asked if there is MSG in the ribs because the lady is extremely allergic to MSG. The next five minutes of conversation and running around at the waitress station was both hilarious and frightening at the same time. Five waitresses dilligently tried to figure out if there was a mysterious ingredient called MSG in anything that woman might ingest. None of them knew what it was. One of them thought it might be that "stuff" on the spinach everyone was "freaking out" about a while ago. Another corrected her and said, "no, that's that E-Goli stuff...MSG is some kind of Chinese food...we don't serve Chinese food here". The other three were systematically reading all the salad dressing bottles, soft drink labels, the coffee bag....anything they could find with ingredients listed. One of them remembered hearing the term "Mono-Sodio- something with a G" so at least they were getting warmer. Eventually they came up with several items they were sure did not have MSG and reported back to the couple. I'm pretty sure the lady walked out of there fed and without any impending trips to the emergency room.
That's the update. Im going to wander around, get something to eat, check out some galleries and sit in a park somewhere with my sketchbook. Hope you all are having a lovely day!
-A
True to form, I don't plan anything when I travel. I just load up my car with things I think I might need or dont want to be caught without. As I was leaving my house, I saw my passport on the bookshelf and thought what the hell... you never know.
I took the long way up here: 101 to San Francisco, spent a very enjoyable night at a friends apt., jumped back on the 101 and rolled into Gold Beach Oregon at about 10pm (after many "hmmm... wonder where that road goes" inspired detours, a couple of walks on the beach and of course I HAD to drive through the giant redwood car tunnel). Interesting thing about Gold Beach. Everything, and I mean absolutely everything shuts down by 10pm. Hotels, Motels, gas stations.... everything. Shocking to a city girl like myself. So I pulled over into the (cover your ears mom...) darkest hotel parking lot I could find and had a lovely night's sleep in my car.
The next morning, up bright and early, I continued up the coast and ended up at the Cape Lookout Campsite (with an unexpected bonus: they had showers!!). From there I headed north a little while longer until I realized I was actually getting tired of driving after 3 days. I found an east bound road and made it to Portland sometime around noon. Ken (who's studio I'm visiting) was particularly relieved to see me. Change of plans and he'd misplaced my cell number-- he needed to head off to Vancouver in a few hours and the maintenence crew was changing all of the locks in the building ( they had lost some keys). We had lunch with a very nice guy from the Army Corps of Engineers (they're neighbors to the studio) and somehow by the end of that lunch, we had all decided that the best thing for me to do was to jump back into the car and head up to Vancouver with Ken. It had something to do with the number of galleries here, a Monet exhibit, and a pretty happening music scene (i.e. lots of reference for my musician series). It had absolutely nothing to do with fantastic weather, an empty penthouse with a swimming pool and getting to hang out a little bit with Ken and his wife Mary. So here I am. Drinking coffee in Vancouver, and updating my blog.
So here are a few highlights/observations/whatever...
My first stop for gas was in East Palo Alto. East Palo Alto is not the same as Palo Alto. I was greeted by a crack head lady asking very nicely (all things considered) for some cash. When I said no, she became less polite and called me a few bad names. Screamed them actually. I thought it was a fantastic welcome to the bay area.
Gas prices are significantly lower in Oregon. My tank was pretty low when I hit Crescent City at the top of California. Not so low that I couldnt make the 10 miles to the first town but I gassed up anyway. I was pretty pissed off when I passed the gas stations in Brookings OR that were a full 50 cents a gallon lower. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!
Later I discovered something that apparently everyone except for me knows: You are not allowed to pump your own gas in Oregon. I tried. They really dont like it when you do that. Apparently its illegal. No one knows why though...and believe me, Ive been asking around. The official story is that it keeps insurance costs down for the stations. A comparitive study between Washington and Oregon insurance rates, though, shows little difference (I dont know who did the study). Regardless, it is kind of nice to have someone pump your gas for you...now that Its not completely unexpected.
At an out of the way diner somewhere near the top of California, I sat at the bar top for lunch and coffee where I could very easily hear the conversations at the waitress station. A couple came in and sat somewhere behind me in a booth. When the waitress went over to take the order, the couple asked if there is MSG in the ribs because the lady is extremely allergic to MSG. The next five minutes of conversation and running around at the waitress station was both hilarious and frightening at the same time. Five waitresses dilligently tried to figure out if there was a mysterious ingredient called MSG in anything that woman might ingest. None of them knew what it was. One of them thought it might be that "stuff" on the spinach everyone was "freaking out" about a while ago. Another corrected her and said, "no, that's that E-Goli stuff...MSG is some kind of Chinese food...we don't serve Chinese food here". The other three were systematically reading all the salad dressing bottles, soft drink labels, the coffee bag....anything they could find with ingredients listed. One of them remembered hearing the term "Mono-Sodio- something with a G" so at least they were getting warmer. Eventually they came up with several items they were sure did not have MSG and reported back to the couple. I'm pretty sure the lady walked out of there fed and without any impending trips to the emergency room.
That's the update. Im going to wander around, get something to eat, check out some galleries and sit in a park somewhere with my sketchbook. Hope you all are having a lovely day!
-A
Friday, July 06, 2007
Road Trip!!
I am off on an extended road trip! I'll be living out of my car for the next several weeks as I travel up the coast of California and Oregon. I'm honored to be able to spend some time working in the studio of a very generous artist friend of mine outside of Portland near the Columbia River Gorge. Stay Tuned for postings from the road.....
Thursday, June 07, 2007
Last Call
I'm not in this show but I'm planning to see it during this month's artwalk in downtown LA.
Nice to see that the city of Los Angeles holds historic buildings with such high regard, but hey--at least the police cars will be nice and shiny:
M.J. Higgins fine art & furnishings
244 South Main Street, L. A.,California 90012,
213.617.1700 Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 12-6pm
artgallery@mjhiggins.com www.mjhiggins.com
E S C A P E
U r b a n s c a p e s a n d L a n d s c a p e s
J u n e 1 4 - A u g u s t 4, 2 0 0 7
Opening: Thursday, June 14, 6-9pm
During the Downtown Art Walk www.downtownartwalk.com
Artists: Jamie Ennen, Dick Heimbold, Star Higgins and William Wray
This will be an evolving six week plus exhibition due to the fact that the City of Los Angeles has begun eminent domain proceedings to take over our beloved 1896 building, the birthplace of the Gallery Row Organization and The Gallery Row District. The City is taking the property for the purpose of creating a five story Police parking structure complete with a fueling station, maintenance center and car wash for 1,000 police cars. Last spring our "Eminent Domain" exhibition shed light on the City's short sighted plan to do away with the only green space public park slated for the developing downtown and instead build the new Police headquarters on the site, the block south of City Hall. In light of these developments we are calling this exhibition a "Cash & Carry" style show where art works will be allowed to be taken when purchased (credit & checks accepted). Works sold will be replaced by work by the same artist or another landscape artist we currently represent, perhaps through September 8th!
Nice to see that the city of Los Angeles holds historic buildings with such high regard, but hey--at least the police cars will be nice and shiny:
M.J. Higgins fine art & furnishings
244 South Main Street, L. A.,California 90012,
213.617.1700 Hours: Tuesday - Saturday 12-6pm
artgallery@mjhiggins.com www.mjhiggins.com
E S C A P E
U r b a n s c a p e s a n d L a n d s c a p e s
J u n e 1 4 - A u g u s t 4, 2 0 0 7
Opening: Thursday, June 14, 6-9pm
During the Downtown Art Walk www.downtownartwalk.com
Artists: Jamie Ennen, Dick Heimbold, Star Higgins and William Wray
This will be an evolving six week plus exhibition due to the fact that the City of Los Angeles has begun eminent domain proceedings to take over our beloved 1896 building, the birthplace of the Gallery Row Organization and The Gallery Row District. The City is taking the property for the purpose of creating a five story Police parking structure complete with a fueling station, maintenance center and car wash for 1,000 police cars. Last spring our "Eminent Domain" exhibition shed light on the City's short sighted plan to do away with the only green space public park slated for the developing downtown and instead build the new Police headquarters on the site, the block south of City Hall. In light of these developments we are calling this exhibition a "Cash & Carry" style show where art works will be allowed to be taken when purchased (credit & checks accepted). Works sold will be replaced by work by the same artist or another landscape artist we currently represent, perhaps through September 8th!
Saturday, June 02, 2007
Old Friends
I did this last month at Jax. These guys were great. I have a bunch of sketches of them because they made the mistake of sitting in front of me. The guy in the center is very expressive when he talks. He was hard to get because he never sits still --I'll post more later. Very funny man. The guy on the left, Jose is his cousin (I think?) and was visiting from Mexico. On the right is a fellow artist. They seemed to have known each other for many many years when you've known someone that long theres a level of comfort and familiarity-- and a lot of stories. Very interesting to talk to.
Wednesday, May 30, 2007
Bad, Bad Blogger....
I never kept a journal when I was a kid either. Except in 6th grade but only because I was being graded on it. Its not that I don't want to its just that I'm lazy about it. I keep thinking I will get to it later in the day but I dont. I even have a ton of sketches to post I just....havent done it. Apparently I need to put this in my schedule too! So here's the scoop (some of you got my email/newsletter so sorry for the repeat):
Update & News:
Last month's Brewery Artwalk was a great success, & I want to thank
you so much for your support!
The most common question I get now days is "what's it like not
working?" . I want to say that its fabulous. I want to say that I get
up every morning, put on my striped shirt and black beret and create
masterpiece after masterpiece while sipping espresso. Thats only
partly true. It is fabulous but its also kind of scary. I do drink a
lot of coffee, but I don't own a beret and not every piece is a
masterpiece. I'm learning a lot about myself and how I work. So far,
the most important thing I've learned is that I can't focus without a
schedule.
Last week I had my first panic attack. I felt like May had flown by
and had nothing to show for it. Over the weekend I let the other side
of my brain take over and created a schedule and spreadsheet that
would make my past project managers proud. This week a few seeds I
planted recently broke through the ground and I realized I actually
did accomplish something:
• I was invited to be in the May group show at the Hive Gallery in
downtown LA and will have another piece in the June show (see below
for opening info).
• Returning to my roots, I signed on at a new gallery in Claremont,
my hometown. Loft 205 gallery currently has 4 pieces that debuted at
the Brewery last month: my two largest steel pieces and two
portraits. The Director wants a studio visit already so my studio
inventory is rapidly declining. Artist reception is next week, see
info below.
• Virtual Art Scope (http://www.visualartscope.com/ ), a Los Angeles
based art consulting firm has officially launched its website. I am
on their featured works page.
• I spent a week in Mammoth landscape painting, some of the pieces
are on my website under New work.
Not too shabby! So what's next? June will be spent locked in my
studio for the most part. According to my schedule I have a lot of
work to do ;o)
I will be traveling for most of July. A fabulous opportunity landed
in my lap and I have to take it. More on that as it develops but for
now I don't want to jinx it!
OPENINGS:
Los Angeles:
Hive Gallery Opening is this Saturday, June 2 from 8pm to 12:30am.
The Hive openings are becoming a very popular part of the LA scene
and attract a very diverse crowd. It should be a lot of fun. Aside
from the great artwork, there will be a live band, food & drinks and
fabulous people watching!
More info at the hive website: http://www.thehivegallery.com/news/
news/june07.html
The show runs June 2 through July 1.
Claremont:
Art Loft 205 Artist's Reception is next Saturday, June 9 from 4 - 6pm.
More info at the Art Loft 205 website: http://www.artloft205.com/
My work will be there on an on going basis.
Art Loft 205 is a new gallery in the recently renovated Claremont Ice
House. Downstairs from the gallery is the new Claremont Museum as
well as a creative studio for kids.
Update & News:
Last month's Brewery Artwalk was a great success, & I want to thank
you so much for your support!
The most common question I get now days is "what's it like not
working?" . I want to say that its fabulous. I want to say that I get
up every morning, put on my striped shirt and black beret and create
masterpiece after masterpiece while sipping espresso. Thats only
partly true. It is fabulous but its also kind of scary. I do drink a
lot of coffee, but I don't own a beret and not every piece is a
masterpiece. I'm learning a lot about myself and how I work. So far,
the most important thing I've learned is that I can't focus without a
schedule.
Last week I had my first panic attack. I felt like May had flown by
and had nothing to show for it. Over the weekend I let the other side
of my brain take over and created a schedule and spreadsheet that
would make my past project managers proud. This week a few seeds I
planted recently broke through the ground and I realized I actually
did accomplish something:
• I was invited to be in the May group show at the Hive Gallery in
downtown LA and will have another piece in the June show (see below
for opening info).
• Returning to my roots, I signed on at a new gallery in Claremont,
my hometown. Loft 205 gallery currently has 4 pieces that debuted at
the Brewery last month: my two largest steel pieces and two
portraits. The Director wants a studio visit already so my studio
inventory is rapidly declining. Artist reception is next week, see
info below.
• Virtual Art Scope (http://www.visualartscope.com/ ), a Los Angeles
based art consulting firm has officially launched its website. I am
on their featured works page.
• I spent a week in Mammoth landscape painting, some of the pieces
are on my website under New work.
Not too shabby! So what's next? June will be spent locked in my
studio for the most part. According to my schedule I have a lot of
work to do ;o)
I will be traveling for most of July. A fabulous opportunity landed
in my lap and I have to take it. More on that as it develops but for
now I don't want to jinx it!
OPENINGS:
Los Angeles:
Hive Gallery Opening is this Saturday, June 2 from 8pm to 12:30am.
The Hive openings are becoming a very popular part of the LA scene
and attract a very diverse crowd. It should be a lot of fun. Aside
from the great artwork, there will be a live band, food & drinks and
fabulous people watching!
More info at the hive website: http://www.thehivegallery.com/news/
news/june07.html
The show runs June 2 through July 1.
Claremont:
Art Loft 205 Artist's Reception is next Saturday, June 9 from 4 - 6pm.
More info at the Art Loft 205 website: http://www.artloft205.com/
My work will be there on an on going basis.
Art Loft 205 is a new gallery in the recently renovated Claremont Ice
House. Downstairs from the gallery is the new Claremont Museum as
well as a creative studio for kids.
Thursday, May 03, 2007
This Saturday at the Hive
If you're looking for something different to do on Cinco de Mayo, the Hive Gallery in downtown LA is having an opening for the May group show. If you haven't been there, the Hive openings are a lot of fun: there's food, there's booze, there's live performances, there's a lot of cool art....what more could you possibly want??? My work? OK, theres one in there:
So go, have fun, and tell me all about it....'cause I need to live vicarioiusly through you on this one. I'll be in Mammoth this weekend and hopefully most of next week.
So go, have fun, and tell me all about it....'cause I need to live vicarioiusly through you on this one. I'll be in Mammoth this weekend and hopefully most of next week.
Wednesday, May 02, 2007
Thursday, April 26, 2007
So loving my life right now
There's a new park just east of Dogers Stadium. After I picked up the remaining paintings at the Brewery, I relaxed a little in the park and did some sketching. Here's one of them:
Monday, April 23, 2007
Brewery Artwalk
I had a great show this weekend at the Brewery Art Walk with Wanna and Dan. Kind of overwhelming at times but Lots of fun! It was a great turn out and I got to meet a lot of cool people (as well as re-unite with a few old friends I havent seen in a while). All in all I think it was a big success and incredibly inspiring! Patrick Burns let us use his loft and Charles (who actually lives there) was incredibly gracious with the invasion.
For those of you who were able to make it; thanks for coming and I hope you enjoyed our efforts! We had a web-cam going, you can see a fast forward flurry of activity here at Patrick's website:
Day One
Day Two
For those of you who were able to make it; thanks for coming and I hope you enjoyed our efforts! We had a web-cam going, you can see a fast forward flurry of activity here at Patrick's website:
Day One
Day Two
Monday, April 09, 2007
Thursday, April 05, 2007
News News News
Yes, I realize its been...umm...awhile since I've posted but um...Im not even going to bore you with an excuse. Busy?? :o)
The big news:
I've quit my job to focus on my painting. I'm going to spend at least the remainder of this year working on pieces that I've been wanting to do, but havent had the time (or energy). I'm beyond excited to be able to devote myself to my work full time! I do the dance of joy each morning while I make the long commute to my studio (AKA my dining room) to start work.
Newsflash #2 : Save the Date: April 21 and 22 10AM to 6PM
I will be participating in the Spring Los Angeles Brewery Artwalk. Come on by and see the show!
642 Moulton Ave #E26
Los Angeles CA
(map is on www.antrese.com or you can google it)
I've been working on some new stuff. Very excited about it! Here's a color study for one of the pieces to whet your appetite:
The big news:
I've quit my job to focus on my painting. I'm going to spend at least the remainder of this year working on pieces that I've been wanting to do, but havent had the time (or energy). I'm beyond excited to be able to devote myself to my work full time! I do the dance of joy each morning while I make the long commute to my studio (AKA my dining room) to start work.
Newsflash #2 : Save the Date: April 21 and 22 10AM to 6PM
I will be participating in the Spring Los Angeles Brewery Artwalk. Come on by and see the show!
642 Moulton Ave #E26
Los Angeles CA
(map is on www.antrese.com or you can google it)
I've been working on some new stuff. Very excited about it! Here's a color study for one of the pieces to whet your appetite:
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Thursday, January 18, 2007
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
and one more since I'm on a roll
My friends Marni & Ryan got hitched this past weekend. This is a color study that I did for a larger painting of them but I really like the way it turned out.
Day after Christmas: Lakeport CA
My sister has a ranch in Lakeport. Its gorgeous and since It was dumping rain, I sat on the porch and did some color sketches:
Tuesday, January 02, 2007
Christmas at the Casino
yeah.
really.
The short story is very small town+ road trip + christmas day = absolutely no restaurants open anywhere. really. we looked.
And then we drove to another little town and looked....and then we drove to another town and looked some more...
So we ended up at a casino for Christmas dinner. I think my mom is still in shock. It was pretty funny. Actually it was hilarious, and we had a lot of fun (could have been the white russians...). But seriously, who goes to a casino on christmas?! (Besides us of course but....). So I had to do some sketching 'cause there were some really funky people there. The little Monet man sitting by himself with a charlie-brown poinsetta on the table could have made me cry but he seemed pretty content and he knew all the waitresses....
really.
The short story is very small town+ road trip + christmas day = absolutely no restaurants open anywhere. really. we looked.
And then we drove to another little town and looked....and then we drove to another town and looked some more...
So we ended up at a casino for Christmas dinner. I think my mom is still in shock. It was pretty funny. Actually it was hilarious, and we had a lot of fun (could have been the white russians...). But seriously, who goes to a casino on christmas?! (Besides us of course but....). So I had to do some sketching 'cause there were some really funky people there. The little Monet man sitting by himself with a charlie-brown poinsetta on the table could have made me cry but he seemed pretty content and he knew all the waitresses....
Saturday, December 09, 2006
Thursday, October 26, 2006
10.18 Last Day in NYC
I spent a few days in New York looking at loads of fantastic art, a little bit of shopping and lots of people watching. I love that city! This is outside of Central Park looking down 5th Avenue.
Monday, October 23, 2006
Sunday, October 22, 2006
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