Birra

Birra, mixed media on board, 12”x16”

Here is the next work in a series of beer-themed art as I continue to work with beer packaging and beer coasters from California, Oregon, Belgium and Switzerland (to name just a few places). Beeraphernalia was used from small brewery towns around all the way from Petaluma to Appenzell.

Birra will be shown in my upcoming exhibit at San Francisco’s City Beer in October. 

Albright-Knox

As a kid in Buffalo, my dad and I walked to the Albright-Knox Art Gallery countless times on Sunday afternoons.  I carry on the tradition by taking the young people in my life to art museums.  Happy Father’s Day.

The Spam Series

In the mail this month from Karen Isaacson one of her Spam Series collages where she uses sentences and phrases from the spam-bot comments left on her blog.  

Brew 188

Brew 188, mixed media on board, 12”x16”

Here is my latest work in a series of beer-themed art as I continue to repurpose and recycle beeraphernalia. This one is made of 188 pieces assembled into a quilt-inspired pattern that I have been using for years.  This is one of the first times I have used this pattern with such brightly colored source material. The vivid colors contrast against each other and cause a bit of a 3D effect. Because I included cardboard cases and beer coasters, some of the pieces have different thicknesses.  This only adds to the 3D appearance.  Finally, I cut many of the original material at slight angles, and when I assembled the work, I was even surprised by the illusion of movement (which might not be as apparent in a digital image). 

Brew 188 will be included in my upcoming show at San Francisco’s City Beer in October. The idea that it appears to be moving might be perfect for a venue where alcohol is served.  

Art Sampling 1997 and 2013

Sample Collages, mixed media color reproductions, 8"x10" each

Back in the 1990’s I went out nightclubbing – a lot.  The dance music was often made after sampling other music.  In 1997 I created a series of collages that were essentially art samplings. I sampled art by cutting up art magazines into small pieces and reconfiguring the parts into new works of art.  I then reprinted the images using a color copier. The results were a slick, smooth art re-mix.

In June 2013 it was time to revisit the idea.  This time I created a print with samples of my own mixed media art.  100 prints were sent out to different artists that I correspond with. They also create mail art.  If they wish, they can incorporate my samples into their own work.

Transfer Collage

Transfer Collage, mixed media on paper, 5”x6”

I’ve been paying for MUNI with cash a lot lately and I hate to let a transfer go to waste.

Green Tea Kit Kats

Green Tea Pair, mixed media on board, 4”x4” each

I’ve always liked Kit Kats, yes, they are not fancy chocolate, but they have been a favorite snack for years.  In Japan, they have all sorts of other flavors that rarely turn up in California.  Last month I got an entire box of Green Tea Kit Kats brought directly from Japan.  Of course there was an excess of packaging.  I couldn’t resist recycling the packages and making some Kit Kat Art.