Wednesday, August 30

Earnest and Katrina

August 28 2005, Hurricane Katrina hit New Orleans. Tropical storm Earnest hit Miami on almost year anniversary. Earnest was surprisingly weak storm despite all the media's freak out. Storm is right above my house now, but it just looks like normal bad weather. Good thing, but I wanted to go to school.

Last night we watched Spike Lee's "When the Levees Broke: A Requiem in Four Acts." The movie was little too long and I ended up fell sleep in act VI with help of wine drinking. It was very well made documentary. Documentary is always one person's view of certain event and I am sure this is Spike Lee's view of Katrina. I am aware that there is a danger to believe everything in it. But men, it was great. In half way, Tommy questions why they just stand there and wait for bus? How come they don't start walking? Right away they show comment of couple that attempt to walk out of city. The freaking Policemen blocked the bridge to get out the town! I couldn't believe what I was hearing.

I think New Orleans is one of town (maybe only) in America with such a strong base of CULTURE. America is very young country and does not have too much deep culture. I don't know that much of it, but they have their own music and food unlike any other place. I just can’t understand those American politics. 9/11, Iraq, and this. Every single one of defense is felling. When did this country become so stupid??
I hope I don't get in trouble writting this here...

Sunday, August 27

departure and sawing machine

This is story of yesterday. I learned to make french bread from Peggy. It came out really really good.
But this morning I found my bread covered with ants.... Fucking ants ate my bread....

back to last night, Pip and Duane had show at Deluxe art. It was pretty good show. Duane made sawing machine instrument. I think this is one of his best art piece I ever seen. The show was well lit all together and art works were very shining. Also there was perfomance. I was taking picture too much to carefully listen the sound. second piece was nicer sound.
it was very fun night.
It was also last night before Carlos is elaving to NYC. I hope for best.




Wednesday, August 23

New Artist statement.

My old statement was:

For me art is right under our noses. It’s normal everyday stuff, like brushing your teeth in the morning, or feeling good when your feet reach the cold part of bed sheets. Art that has had the most affect on me has come from a very ordinary kind of place. In my search for a way to live and make art I have been using the tools of painting my daily habits to construct a map, to guide me, and maybe others to better quality of life.

But I though it doesn't apply to my new works. The other day lots of people helped me making new statement for my series of works.It goes:

This series of works address a reverie of the ordinary. My paintings do not hold any world changing views nor are they politically opinionate. It is self-portrait reflecting my state of mind, a tranquil gaze, or a sublime moment.

I like this new one.

New York ニューヨーク

Here we go Meesimo picture from NY :)

So we went to NYC. I don't know why, but recently I've been scared to fly. so as soon as we got airport, I had long island ice tea. Probably it's the influence of massmedia.
Anyway, our goal for this trip was eat, relax, and see some art. and I think we accomplished all.

We went MET, MoMA, and PS1. I was disapointed with PS1. They had huge rooms full of abstruct crapy painting and also some crazy sex works. Photos like fist in pu$%y or a guy blowing himself... A girl peeing in sculpture was cool.
As far as art piece, I liked Jan Van Eyke's "the crucifixion and the last judgment"was amazing! I think the Jesus or God? looks Asian in the picture.


And food, my favorite place is
  • Sobaya
  • This is tuna wraped around tofu skin (yuba) with guacamole
    and This is the Soba I ate.

    and This is firm tofu with edamame souse.

    Looks good isn't it??

    The anniversary night, we went to a restaurant
  • Megu
  • As you can see it is very fansy Japanese restaurant. They have Kobe Beef on hot rock etc. Waiter took us to seat next to a big group of family. Tommy looked over and it was Will Smith and Jada Pinkett and their family. I thought of asking them "yo will are you gonna be next Basquiat?" but instead I asked waiter to change a seat. Our table was too war a way wach other and I couldn't consentrate eating next to millionares. well, the food was not as good as it's priced anyway. Oh but when they were leaving Will Smith winked at us, so I waved my hand.... yes. call me a dork.

    Anyway, we had wonderful time. Hotel we stay was amazing, and I hang out with Tommy 3 whole day alone without anyone disturbing. now I am little sad getting back to normal day. I can't wait for next vacacion....

    Friday, August 18

    Anniversary trip


    This Sunday is me and tommy's wedding anniersary. I can't believe it's been 2 years already. so.. we are going to NYC.
    I'm gonna difinitaly go see art, eat good food, buy some books and maybe some cloth and stuff, and do some stuff.... very excited.
    yay NY. yay NY.

    Saturday, August 12

    New years in 2006


    This painting was experiment of combining embroidery. The image was from new years in Japan. My family wanted to have little ceremony, so we all dressed up.

    selfportrait 6

    selfportrait 5

    selfportrait 4



    In this painting I push myself to put more Japaneseness into the painting.

    selfportrait 3


    54"x36" oil on canvas

    self portrait 2



    so here is the second one I made of the series. 40"x40" oil on Canvas

    selfportrait1



    This is "selfportrait 1" size is 36x48 oil on canvas It is the first painting of the series I've been working on.