Yoga Chakra Mats idea proposal and video submission for Manduka Yoga Mat Company...

Last night I went to the BLCC to install my outdoor art (after recieving permission) and while we were there looking at the space, it was decided that placing the art up high (after being offered a ladder) would look amazing and be more amazing if I put up some portraits instead of my abstract, chakra art. 

The chakra art just didn't seem right for the space, so i contacted the owner of the art studio where I teach to see if she would be willing to let me put the art up at her place...she was completely into it!

So, with a new plan, I went ahead and installed two large portaits outside of the BLCC.  People were walking by, smiling, making positive comments, and overall it was a great experience!

Then this morning, I get several long text messages from the owner about how the art is placed up t0o high and he goes on to explain his rent, square footage, his potentially upset landlord, his partner who already tried to get them down, and how I need to get down there ASAP to take down the art.

I must say I am amused at how easily people become offended and stressed out about art...art that is temporary, expected and is removed with water...it's not offensive and it's not rocket science.

What is it with art????

Camel Pose 3D Animation

Banksy Wheatpaste...practice

Wild flower wheat paste

My large chakra installation is scheduled to be installed tomorrow (Wednesday). 

My video for Manduka will be finished this week. We need to finish up the voice over and final edits. 

PEPAKURA...meet with Clint for printing and building steps.

In two weeks I will have:

Documentation of my large chakra wheatpaste installation

Pepakura 3D model

Chakra yoga Mat video proposal

Maye picture of flowers beginning to grow around flower paper wheatpaste art. 





MFA Lecture

Two Cats in Real Life or Cattitude

Amerique Powell

Ribbon - 84” x 48” - oil on canvas - 2012

It was clear from the beginning that Amerique Powell’s lecture was going to be her own way.  With a huge smile on her face, she casually began her presentation as if talking to room of friends.  Her oversized paintings of cats is a loaded topic and not in a profound sort of way, but more in a YouTube video or crazy lady kind of way.  Powell was quick to address contemporary ideology of these felines with a run through of a history of cat paintings.  Powell was smart to take control of her content through an undeniably, serious association.  Immediately perceptions changed, although some of the content remained quite funny.

            Powell took her time taking art seriously, bouncing around through undergraduate majors.  Her carefree attitude quickly changed when she committed herself to earning a BFA.  A true lover of painting, Powell is inspired by color and pattern, but first and foremost color.  She began painting abstract grid patterns that evolved into plaid.  Obsessed with plaid, this pattern would continue to show up on her paintings and on her own body for quite some time.  With an attitude that more is more, nothing could be too busy for Powell’s paintings.  Before earning her BFA, she had experimented with incorporating a cat into an art piece.  Her professor was horrified so she moved on to other content, although secretly, she loved her painting.

            At UNR, working on her MFA, Powell continued to show interest in creating oversized paintings of pattern.  She was encouraged to add elements of realism.  The organized chaos of her work was elucidated by natural colors juxtaposed with candy-like colors, adding an element of hyper-realism.  At her MFA midway, Powell stepped back into the higher learning “uncomfort” zone of cats.  Although the pieces weren’t shunned, they weren’t well received either.  She needed to push it further and really make a statement…and did she ever! 

            Powell’s intuitive paintings grew larger in size, louder in color, unexpected in design, and forceful with energy.  Gift Wrap exposes a vortex of color, something Powell fantasizes about as a reality for her cats’ perception, wrapped around the sweet and silky qualities of her pet.   Tower is in your face, mixing Klimt style patterns with 80’s cartoon’s electrical play.  Powell truly exposes the dynamics of her inner world in an effortlessly, thrilling application.  Her world is as unique and whimsical as her paintings, and although the joke might be on the viewer, it’s with the very best intentions. 

Question:

You mentioned in the promotion for the show that your intention is to trick the viewer, can you elaborate on this?

Answer:

Trick is kind of a negative word, but I want to pull people in to like it even if they don’t want too. 

This past week, I was a little off task getting my goals accomplished because I had the opportunity to move forward with my yoga mat proposal...

Hi Han,

First off, thank you so much for collaborating with me on this project and taking my offer to trade a drawing of your kids! I feel really good about presenting my idea in an engaging and inspiring way with your help.  Below is a video from the Manduka website for their only artistic, limited edition collection.  I want to do something similiar that will really allow the viewer to experience the art and  understand the concept.  I am attaching images of the actual art made and have an overhead video shot of the original art being created (but will have to give you the CD, its 45mins).  I also have a quick write up I will post below, not sure if its right but their may be individual words/phrases that could?

Let me know if you have any questions, otherwise I will call you Sunday!  Your artistic opinion is appreciated!

http://www.manduka.com/us/lyrics/

Thank you!!!
Ashley

The deep, inward journey of yoga occurs through many layers and over time. Sometimes the
intention is known, but it can never be expected. The ability to quiet one’s own mind and focus
on the greater good is empowering. However, the silent takeover and miraculous phenomenon
that occurs when the body becomes connected with the mind is truly a spiritual awakening. As
we discover our true essence, we become increasingly aware of ourselves and our journeys.
We become accountable for the energy we place into the world and are mindful as our energy
knowingly branches forth. Believing in ourselves and our worth opens the doors to the abundant
powers of our chakras. For it does not just change who we are, but it enhances the world around
us. Through yoga, the chakras can be exercised, revealed and elucidated. The chakra art project
is a memory of an intention to spread all that is positive into the now. The path is as real as the
art is raw. Explore, own who you are and recognize the inward light.

The video should be finished tomorrow...today I am working on Pepakura!!!

Next Wednesday I am scheduled to do my large installation at BLCC

And...wheatpasting on trees! I used carrot seed sheets that were 3/4" wide, which I temporarily taped together to draw on.  I used an image of my friends daughter holding a huge bushel of carrots.  I used charcoal pencil and then sharpy markers.  Drawing on theis paper was extremely difficult.  It was flimsy and more difficult than paper towel.  The seeds did not help.  I heard that wild flower sheets are much bigger which could make a huge difference...they are ordered...we'll see!

On order:

25, 8.5x11" Wildflower Seed Embedded Recycled Lotka Printer Paper' by Earth

 



For next week...
Pepakura...need to get  to a placwe where I am building!!!!
Chakra art...get my first big art up and put up wheatpaste using seeded paper (waiting to get confirmation that I can place art on BLCC's wall).

Holland Project

I will be teaching a yoga class at the Holland Project and displaying the chakra art pieces for a fundraiser for a single mother who is raising funds to get her yoga teacher training (can be expensive ~$5,000.00)

This fundraiser will give me an opportunity to further communicate ideas and recieve feedback about the chakra art.

Eco-friendly Graffiti

There is a seeded paper that one can purchase to plant and grow flowers (or whatever the seeds are).  I was up in Tahoe and was envisioning my chakra art on trees off of hiking trails.  I don't want to harm the trees or leave liter...so I was thinking that if I purchased this seeded paper to then print my art off on and into sections to keep it big, I could use wheatpaste and when the rain came it would simply spread seeds and offer growth.  Could be cool??!!!

Trial Run...Chakra Miniatures

Pepakura Trial Run...

For my Pepakura, I found this 3D model of Ustrasana, Camel Pose:
http://www.bandhayoga.com/flyarounds.html

Root Chakra

Sacral Chakra

Navel Chakra

Heart Chakra

Throat Chakra

3rd Eye Chakra

Crown Chakra

7 in a Row

www.copyright.gov...Done!!!

The following files were successfully uploaded for service request 1-749370211:

• Root chakra.jpg
• Sacral chakra.jpg
• Navel chakra.jpg
• heart chakra.jpg
• throat chakra.jpg
• 3rd eye.jpg
• crown chakra.jpg

Please note the service request number above for future reference.