Just one more wire hanger.

When I saw the cover of this SFMOMA exhibition guide, I was slightly confused, as I'm pretty sure that the two bottom images are both from Stepmom (I've accidentally seen that film way too many times), which isn't so much a MOMA kind of film.

But with some light research, I learned that it's actually a still from a video installation by Candice Breitz titled, Mother (2005). Breitz edited film performances by the above actresses, to apparently reveal the Hollywood cliché of difficult mothers. Interesting, but I'm really curious to see the video installation titled Working Class Hero (A Portrait of John Lennon) (2006), which synchronizes performances by 25 hard-core John Lennon fans all singing along to Lennon's first solo album. I've never worked with video, but this is my kind of project, and so far I love how the artist thinks.

I'm sold.

Hustle Means Run.

Last Saturday, I had the pleasure of attending two very exciting soccer games: The Bisons and The Hurricanes. That is, my sweet, little niece and nephew played youth soccer, and I finally was able to attend. I've always felt like a sub-par Auntie for consistently missing their games, but it's not always easy to make the 3-hour drive by 10am on a Saturday, and it's taken a few years. But let me tell you, it was worth the wait.

It was a gorgeous, albeit HOT day in Oroville, and the perfect contrast to my life in the city: grass as far as the eye can see, children laughing and playing, no urine to speak of—almost paradise. The games were played in the large mass of grass between the school where my mother teaches (and has teached almost my entire life), and my old middle school. Watching my little ones play in the same league that I played in as a babe, in the literal space between two important eras of my life, was significant, to say the least.

The first game was with Isabelle's team, The Bisons. Watching that little gal on the field brought me right back to my own soccer days at her age—both of us were completely over it. She was put on defense (I was always stuck as the goalie), and pretty much remained disinterested in the happenings of the game the whole time. Wherever the action was, Isabelle sort of wasn't—even with her backed turned to it, and occasionally following her coach's request to, "Hustle!" Girl, I've been there. Also like her Auntie, I think she's going to move on to cheerleading soon.


Some parents are very vocal at these games, something I've always heard about, but never totally experienced. Wowza! The intensity may have been lacking on the field, but it was overflowing from the sidelines. The MVP was the coach from Conner's opposing team, who by far gets the award for, "Most Needs to Shut the &*%#$ Up."

Either way, The Bisons won and they performed the classic "good game" high-fives (which delighted me to no end), and Isabelle collected her post-game snack of Capri Sun and peanut butter crackers. Isn't it really all about the snacks anyway?


After The Bisons game, we made our way across the field, to watch Conner's team, The Hurricanes. Let me tell you: my nephew is exciting to watch on the field. I've always known that he had a natural talent, I mean, he's been kicking around the ball since I can remember. It's just so impressive to watch him on the field, and I can't help but to speculate where this sport will take him.

Growing up, I took a stab at a variety of sports (volleyball, soccer, basketball, cheerleading, golf), but it was quite evident that my sports career wasn't going beyond the bench. Everyone else in my family had similar ho-hum performances—not that my brother wasn't a great football player, but none of us had expectations beyond high school. We had to rely on our smarts. I think this kid might have some different opportunities ahead of him.

The Hurricanes won as well, and I had a fabulous time hanging out with all the soccer moms and dads. It was a very short, but very sweet trip.

Next time, I may try to schedule a little more Rock Band practice.

Lil' Exchanges

(a.k.a. Better Late Than Never)A few Saturdays ago I was helping out at San Francisco Center for the Book's 5th Annual Roadworks event, taking orders at the Lil' Lino table. For those unfamiliar with SFCB or its events, Roadworks is a huge fundraiser for the center, and probably their most popular. They take over a block of Potrero Hill, bust out the steam roller, and make some huge prints from linoleum blocks carved by local artists. Good times!

Even though I've been volunteering for SFCB for a few years now (that's where all the printing for Nibby is done), this was my very first Roadworks.
Regarding the Lil' Lino table: there was nothing little about it. Not only were large-scale prints made, but there were 12"x12" (or something) prints carved by a larger pool of artists. We were selling them for $40 each—a great price for a limited edition print (printed by a steam roller, no less!). From my observations, they were selling like hot cakes. I believe they're available on SFCB's Etsy shop if you're interested.


All in all, I had a great time, and only one awkward exchange with someone (a silkscreen vendor). Observe:

S (me): Hi, I'd like to buy this poster, but I left my wallet at my table.
V(endor): Oooh! Wanna trade?
S: You mean... trade money for poster?
V: Uh no, what are you selling?
S: Right! Oh yeah, nothing of my own.

No joke. I thought he was being coy. This may boil down to my self-esteem level, I mean, how could I possibly have a table of my own?! It's not a ridiculous assumption, but not just yet. I'll be there next year, buddy.

Some of my favorite lil' linos from the day (titles are unknown, names of artists may be incorrect, as there was some confusion in the labeling system):

SCHUYLAR FINK

BRIGID BROWN

LINDSAY CRIMMING

The large prints (sadly, I didn't get any photos of them) were later auctioned off for about $600 each. Such a great way to support the center and local artists. Roadworks 2010, ho!

On Purging.

My tendency—in almost every aspect of my life—is to collect and collect up to the point of saturation and near-paralysis. Meaning: I hoard.

It's nothing worthy of a documentary, but it's a problem that I've always struggled with. There's sentimental value and guilt attached to all of my possessions, and now there's the added bonus of "green shame," a phrase I just made up, but relates to the guilty feeling of throwing something out that will inevitably ruin the environment (a bit dramatic, but hence the "shame"). Some things just aren't donatable/recyclable/compostable! For the last few years, I've been holding on to stuff, just so it won't end up in the landfill—it's my duty, right? Not so much.

As of late, I've adopted the new & improved policy of PURGING. I'm trying to let it all go, and it feels great. Last Saturday I spent some quality time getting my apartment into shape, tackling all the trouble spots, and I can't tell you how good it feels! There's some clarity now, and I'm finding myself inspired by everything—inside and out of the studio. I think I could get used to this.

Now that my physical space has been cleared out a bit, I'm moving on to the mental/creative. For instance, I have about 6 different blog posts in the works, all planned out in my head, and I need to abandon ship and/or post them already. Such is the case with Nibby's product line. I have plenty of ideas in-stock, but not nearly enough time/discipline/resources/time/time/time to accomplish them all in the near future. This is when the paralysis kicks in—I have so many things going on in my head that I end up not doing anything. Perhaps a time capsule is in order for those ideas, and I'll revisit them later—of course that would just be another thing buried amongst the clutter.

By the way:
Earl Grey + Judy Garland ÷ rainy night = productivity.
Who knew?

October Monthly Goal Meetup, yo!

I must say, I got a surprising amount accomplished in what was left of September! I can see that this monthly goal business is really going to pay off, and I'm beginning to look forward to each fresh month with a new list.

Let's review September:

≥ Get fictitious business name *There was a slight hiccup in getting this. I later realized that I needed my Business Registration Certificate first, so I had to make a slight goal switch and move the FBN to October (which by the way, I've already completed!). This may be a formality and just a baby step towards getting fully operational, but it's a significant one. I feel official.
≥ Complete printing of Isa card Run #1 *Yes and no. Yes more than no. I basically have to print the logo and crop marks and then they'll be ready to be trimmed.
≥ Refine logo design *Yes! It's ever so slight, but refined.
≥ Refine blog design *A work in progress, but I got a good start. This will be carried over to October for shiz.
≥ Shutdown computer everynight (and close all of my Firefox tabs) *No dice. I have a problem with shutting off my computer, and any one of my friends can attest to my compulsion to keep dozens of tabs open at all time in my web browser. You don't even want to see my desktop.
≥ Blog at least 3 times a week Meh, I didn't fare so well here. I started off strong, but failed to publish anything in the last two weeks. Right now I have about six posts in draft form, I just need to purge.

New(ish) Goals for OCTOBER:

≥ File Fictitious Business Name.
≥ Publish FBN ad in local newspaper.
≥ Complete Isa run #1 and #2, start #3.
≥ Continue to refine blog.
≥ Shut down computer.
≥ Blog an average of 3/week
≥ BUSINESS CARDS: Finish designing and print. Very important.
≥ Finish Celestial run.
≥ Begin illustrations for calender, design rough layout.
≥ Brainstorm and begin designing holiday cards.

It's definitely encouraging that there's already some items I can cross of. I think I have a challenging, yet attainable set of goals.

Come on October, no whammies!