Waking Sleeping Giants

Earlier in the year, the ladies of Kaleidoscope Kollective asked me if I wanted have a solo show to kick off their art show program. Safety protocols were loosening up but things can change depending on the upsurge of COVID cases. We had a zoom meeting and there was so much uncertainty. Should we have an art show? Should we ask the patrons to come to the store and stay masked? Should we invite other people to vend? What if too many people came? What if not enough people came? How do we keep the staff and patrons safe when they enter the store?

One thing for sure, after two years of isolation and not being able to gather, the presence of community is much needed. After meditating and praying, I decided that I needed the challenge. I needed the action and the movement. I needed to see this show strictly for my well-being and growth. If I made 8 pieces, so be it. If I made 50 pieces, so be it.

As with some artists, I was not creating during the stay-at-home safety protocols. Isolation had me focusing on the essentials- focusing on God, my family and my peace. Looking back, I had periods of deep depression, particularly during the holidays. I tried to hardbody it, passing the time away and making sure the heaviness doesn't settle in. But due to public restrictions, there were little we can do to distract ourselves. There were no festivals, no indoor events, no restaurants, no gyms or classes. It's me and my thoughts.

I did manage to paint a few canvases during isolation and I showed it at my show. 

The show itself was fun, feeling more like a mini reunion as we unsure about gathering, yet excited to catch up with people. It was the same night as the Oscars (same one with the unfortunate event between Wil Smith and Chris Rock) so attendance was lighter than I am used to. I will say this, the people who were there, MEANT to be there and their presence was the medicine I needed.

I will be posting more about the paintings as the days come.



 

 

Ode to AlfieNumeric by Stephanie Takemoto

Sometimes I paint my friends and sometimes my friends paint me.

 

"Ode to AlfieNumeric" by Stephanie Takemoto
**For purchasing inquiries contact swoongalleryla@gmail.com

 

It's no secret that most of my work is autobiographical and the women who I paint often resemble myself. I was taught to "paint what I know" and often time, my subject matter would be of a curvaceous woman with melanin.

This year, I decided to challenge myself a bit and find the inspiration in the women who surround me. In "All the Right Weaponry" and "Femme Fatale" series, I looked outside of myself and chose women who have influenced my journey in the past few years. It was liberating to push myself to paint women who have different facial features, skin features and body types as I do.

But it is a blessing to have a talented friend and artist use you as a muse. I am so very honored when Stephanie Takemoto chose me as one of her subject matters in a show called "Muses" which will be in Swoon Gallery's  upcoming show. It's amazing to see what people see in you. She captured my all my loves- writing, drawing, poetry, painting, gold chains, tropical lands which I consider "home" (plumeria and Hawaii), my red tips and bleeding heart doves!

Truly amazed by her talent and her upward trajectory in the art scene. So thankful for her friendship and her inspiration that pushes me as well.

RECAP of All the Right Weaponry and She Versus I

 

 

 

 

On February 21st, 2014 - I had my first solo show ever. Well, kind of a solo show. More like mini solo show because I showcased my work with Stephanie Takemoto at Art Form Studio in the Art District of Downtown LA. I can't believe that in almost 10 years of showcasing my work as well as curating and producing shows, I never showed my work at this capacity before. I convinced myself that I was not ready and before you know it, time up and left.

2014 is the year of Yes and at times when the process of putting together 15+ pieces for the show, I have felt joy as well as the familiar state of uncertainty. But this time, fear did not win and Stephanie and I had a successful show.

The following pics are selected personal pictures of spirit family. I will in the near future post the pieces and discuss about each piece.

This night was a super duper important to me. It allowed me to break down walls and silence doubt. Nothing but upward movement from here on out

Stephanie, San and me

My friend DJ Volare was one of the DJs of the night. She was with me at my Truthseekers Radio spot.

Comic JennyYang

Spirt Family, Jenn, Julienne and Chris. Jenn came down from SF just for the show!

SANOISM

Cupcakes made by Little Sweeties!!!
All these are influenced by my work!

Jenn

Peter Woods and his lovely family

Will and his lovely family

My piece went to a new home!

Brandi and her goodies~!

Doreen of Little Sweeties!
I painted a piece inspired by her being!

Artist Stefania and her friend

The Get Down Collective: Multi Media greats

My piece went to a great home! Arturo bought this for his daughter, Mae!

Extremely grateful for a packed house and record sales! 

One of my favorite kid in the whole world and his dad

Such a fan of his work, my artist friend SKET ONE

Miss this chica! Ver Mar, remarkable artist and scultress!

Love these guys!! Daniel and Ariana! I made a promo that anybody rocking a Beatrock shirt would get free swag from me!

The night is about collaboration. Mixpe modeling Nena Soulfly's African wax print dress, styling by Sherry Younge from Art Form Studio.

My homegirl Amreen, times 3! My piece Doreen from Little Sweeties

Guns and roses

And this awesome event happen! I was so happy to see Ryan at my show. That guy is so extremely busy. And he got his equipment and did an interview of Stephanie and me at the end of the night!

Vibe !!!

Such a beautiful night!
Portraits of me made out of sugar!

Kazuki Takamatsu at the Corey Helford CHG Gallery

 

Pictures on the web of Kazuki Takamatsu's work is super impressive but it doesn't not compare to seeing it live in person. On June 21st, 2014, I gallery hopped all over and made sure that one of the stops were Cory Helford's CHG gallery in Culver City.

I got to see Kazuki's work up close and personal. Many of pieces are enormous, which makes it seem like the paintings were looking at you and not the other way around. Kazuki is known for his gouche map painting, mixing both traditional and modern techniques. What you have are haunting pieces that seem to be popping off of the canvas, whispering for youto come closer.

I tried to get as clos as I can to show you that these were paintings.

As expected, when I got there, which was only an hour of opening, each piece but one was sold.

Definitely one of my favorite modern artist!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reflection Eternal

 

Thanks to Dave NY, my friend Amreen and I got to see Talib Kweli's show at the Echoplex on summer solstice! Dave is the tour manager for Kweli and was soooo cool enough to invite us to be his guests and we had VIP passes. I got to stand on the stage and saw him rock live to a very packed house!

 

Amreen, Talib Kweli and me

I told him that Reflection Eternal and Beautiful Struggle, as well as his group with Mos Def, Black Star, were very important to me. Those albums were in rotation during a time when I was transforming my life into the creative/community building life that I lead today.  Now, I admit, after those two albums, I haven't caught on but those first two albums are enough to be in constant rotation at my house.

 

Dave NY and me

Talib asking the crowd for a light

Backstage shenanigans with Dave, Amreen and DJ EQue, Talib's wife

He went out for an encore but rather than running back on stage, Amreen and I stayed in the green room and just chilled. She had vodka. I had moon pies.

Onto the next adventure!

"All the Right Weaponry" and "She Versus I"

"All the Right Weaponry" and "She Versus I" Featuring the Art of Alfie Numeric and Stephanie Takemoto
February 21 - March 21, 2014
Reception: Friday, February 21, 2014 6-10pm

Artform Studio is excited to be hosting a dual exhibition of two artists, Alfie Numeric and Stephanie Takemoto. Please join us in a powerhouse Tastemakers collaboration between art, music, fashion and food. The Opening Reception with Live Music will be held on Friday, Feb 21st from 6-10pm.

The duo art show runs in conjunction with Artform Studio’s “Tastemakers,” a collaborative monthly event featuring resident designers and stylists of Artform Studio. This unique event calls upon each participant to unite their specialized skills, fostering an experience like no other. Hair styling and cuts by Sherry Younge adds an intriguing spin on live art. Influential designer Nena Soulfly will be showcasing her newest fashion design inspired by paintings in the show. Exceptional designer cupcakes by Little Sweeties and ChaCha Covers Nail Art will also be available, each drawing inspiration from the works on display.

This family- friendly event is FREE and open to the public.

Alfie Ebojo, better known as Alfie Numeric, is a multimedia artist and art advocate, working and residing in Los Angeles, California. Her work has been shown both nationally and internationally and is a regular showcased artist at Thumbprint Gallery in San Diego. She currently holds a seat in the Board of Directors at FilAm Arts and is the Programming Chairperson for the nonprofit art organization where she works closely with community leaders, talented artists and esteemed academics in providing local programs and events to help advance the arts and diverse cultural heritage of Filipinos through arts services, presentation, and education.

 “All the Right Weaponry” stems from the swirling thoughts of igniting the female spirit and healing after reading Sun Tzu’s “Art of War” with Bell Hooks’ “All About Love.” This series is a reflection of Alfie Ebojo’s inner dialogue of the deconstruction and reconstruction the definition of what “female empowerment” means to her.

Stephanie Takemoto is a Los Angeles based, self-taught painter and illustrator who dreams of a life filled with endless creative possibilities. Her style is highly influenced by her mixed heritage, growing up amongst Japanese pop culture, manga, toys, urban vinyl, art nouveau, illustration, geek culture, pop surrealism, film, and the complexities of the female psyche.
Stephanie has exhibited in group shows across the U.S. and is a reoccurring artist with Thumbprint Gallery.

"She Versus I" is a collection of recent and past illustrative works examining the various aspects of the female psyche. Her signature can be found in the maze-like spiraled tresses adorning each of her painted muses. Her female characters are often portrayed in a quiet inner conflict of longing, desire and self-contemplation.

The exhibition will run from Feb 21 – March 21, 2014.
Estab­lished in 2005, the Art­form Stu­dio has been a pre­miere salon for vin­tage pho­tog­ra­phy, tele­vi­sion, film and the thriv­ing Los Ange­les artist com­mu­nity and hosts spe­cial events that embrace the evo­lu­tion of hair, make up, music, and fash­ion. 

Store hours:

Mon-Sat 11 am — 7 pm
Art­form Stu­dio Address:

701 E 3rd St. Ste 120

Los Ange­les, CA 90013

El Velorio 2013

I have been showcasing at Antonio Pelayo's Dia De Los Muertos show, El Velorio, since the beginning and it only keeps getting better. He teams up with local artists and organizers and each year they pick a nonprofit organization who will benefit from part of our proceeds.

This year's show was held at Plaza De La Raza. The proceeds were also donated to PDLR so that they can continue to advocate and nurture arts in Lincoln Heights.

 

Walking in, they transformed their fountain into a huge altar, celebrating the memories of our ancestors.

 

Got to bump into the homie, Codak. He is busy with his own work but found time to come out and support all his friends that were showcased. In fact, he was in his painting gear.

 

 

Below are works from Man One, Asylm, Eye One and Deffer.

 

Also shown were Pablo Dumas, Erica Friend, Isaac Pelayo and Amenah.

 

Speaking of Isaac, he's Antonio's son and already we can see that the apple does NOT fall far from the tree. Not even 18 and he's already killing the graphite and is tattooing as well. Look for him.

 

Like Father, Like Son.

 

Shout out to this girl, Geissel!

 

 

This place was paaaaaacked!

Well because LA SONORA DINAMITA performed!

 

 

 

 One of my pieces

Dfrnt Times, a wife and husband team

 

 

Carol Friend

 

 

Celerina Pelayo

Erica Friend

Mia of Dfrnt Times live painting

All in all, it is such an amazing event. We were able to fill up that entire art center and there was something for everyone.. face painting, art show, vendors, concert, food vendors, workshops. I can't wait for next year!