Terror at the Tenth - Art Show

I've fallen in with a shady bunch of rogue monster makers!

Terror at the Tenth is an art show filled with horrific artworks, sculptures, and... a stage play! Come hang out with us this Saturday night, at the Tenth Ave Arts Center - a creepy old building in downtown San Diego. See you there.

San Diego Art Prize - Nomination

I'm super happy to announce I've been nominated for the 2016 San Diego Art Prize for Emerging Artists along with a group of amazing talents. The 2016 New Contemporaries show featuring the 10 nominees will be at City Gallery this month, opening on Saturday, June 18th.

One of the cool things is that attendees of the show can vote for their favorite artist through the SD View Art Now app. 

Two artists from this exhibition will be chosen to receive the 2016 SD Art Prize and announced at the end of the City College exhibition.  They will in turn choose mentors, and co-exhibit at the Athenaeum Music & Arts Library in the spring.

Hope to see you there.

The SD ART PRIZE is dedicated to the idea that the visual arts are a necessary and rewarding ingredient of any world-class city and a building block of the lifestyle of its residents. Conceived to promote and encourage dialogue, reflection and social interaction about San Diego’s artistic and cultural life, this annual award honors artistic expression. The SD ART PRIZE, a cash prize with exhibition opportunities, spotlights established San Diego artists and emerging artists whose outstanding achievements in the field of Visual Arts merit the recognition. New Contemporaries showcases emerging artist nominated by the SD Art Prize.

There is a Public Choice award for the 2016 New Contemporaries that allow visitors at City College Gallery to vote for their favorite artists. Visitors may vote in person or via the SD View Art Now app. The app is helpful because it displays all the art shows in San Diego on an interactive map.

Make Day of the Dead masks

the recycle of life from Graham Smith on Vimeo.

Learn how to make Day of the Dead tributes, by recycling cardboard with a bit of paint, a touch of ink, and a bunch of imagination in this short video, the recycle of life.

You'll need: cardboard, white paint, india ink, a wide brush, a smaller round brush, and something to cut cardboard with.

Discarded cardboard is reborn and given a new life through your imagination. The decorative tributes are enjoyed for a day, then burned, because life is short and precious, and sometimes we need to be reminded to appreciate things, then let them go. The recycle of life.


the recycle of life (teaser) from Graham Smith on Vimeo.

I'll be at the Oceanside Museum of Art helping Art After Dark party goers make recycled Day of the Dead masks, this Friday, November 1st. I'll be assisted by The Art Elephant, Miss Chantelle Lamoreaux. Stop by to say hi, have a drink, and let's make art together! See you on Friday!

Make a Day of the Dead Mask

Make a Calaca Costume

Read about the Event.

First Peek- Book Unboxing

First Peek - Book Unboxing from Graham Smith on Vimeo.

A giant, cubic palette of boxes arrived suddenly from Xupuy, my publisher. I knew it my new art book, because the writing on the boxes said so. Even though it was the middle of the night, I called artist Katherine Brannock. Her name was on the boxes, too. I knew she'd want to be there when the shipment was opened. I brought my camera and filmed the unboxing.

Katherine Brannock and Graham Smith will be signing this giant pile of books at a release party at the SDAI Museum, on March 30th. 

Art, Music, Food, Life Drawing, aaaannnnd Books!

Artist Katherine Brannock

1365 pounds of books.

See More?
Book Trailer Video
Katherine Brannock.com

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Drawsome! Art Show Opening Nite Photos

Drawsome! Art Show by Sketchbook Sessions: San Diego

Anitza Rodriguez

Anitza Rodriquez of the Chula Vista Community Art Center asked me to produce an art show in support of the arts, at the South Chula Vista Library.

She explained, "The kids down here don't have anything. The art programs have been cut from the schools. These kids will grow up never knowing anything about art."

The Sketchbook Sessions: San Diego artists and I immediately agreed to create the Drawsome! Art Show to help support the arts in this underserved community.

The goal was to show the kids that real live artists, living in their neighborhood, create cool things we all enjoy, like books, movies, clothing... and iPad apps! The goal was to inspire the kids to be artists!

The CVCAC volunteers.

We planned so many activities for opening night we were lucky the Chula Vista Community Art Center high school volunteers made sure everything ran smoothly opening night. Thanks to Chelsea Reyes, Alanna Hinds and Janelle Hinds for attaching hanging wires to the artwork and helping to hang the art show!

There was something for everyone at this community oriented event: caricatures, face painting, henna tattoos, an art area for kids to draw and paint, digital painting demonstrations, rock bands, food trucks, a balloon artist, coffee and cake, all in addition to the art show! All these services were provided freely, by volunteers who support their community and the arts.

Javir Batiz opened the night with psychedelic guitar licks from back in his Santana days. Joy Watley, the library's branch manager, didn't blink an eye when he cranked his amp to 11. Aw yeah!

 

Caricature Artist Jared Lipscomb

Young-blood, artist Jared Lipscomb volunteered to draw free caricatures for the kids on opening night.

Jared wasn't allowed to get his caricature drawn when he was a boy. Not in the family budget. With that in mind, he sat there all night long, drawing everyone he could. Jared wanted every kid who wanted a drawing, to get one. So, they lined up!

 

Opening night, the library was packed with more than 600 people!

In the digital conference room, where it was a bit quieter, concept artist and teacher Dzu Nguyen offered a free Photoshop painting demonstration for the more serious attendees. A roomful of people came specifically to learn from the young master.

Dzu Nguyen - Concept Artist and teacher

Paul Davies co-founder of Sketchbook Sessions: San Diego, mugs in front of his creations.

Motion Capture artist Frank Strocco admires Dave Wilkins wall of El Zombo pages.

Creative Entertainment by Judah Buxton - balloons

The balloon artist, Judah Buxton worked those balloons all night! The kids loved their balloon swords and balloon superhero masks. His tiny blue and red "Spiderman" was spectacular!

Eddie Holly, co-founder of Sketchbook Sessions: San Diego.

Eddie knows how to please the crowd, so he busted out his Justin Bieber!

Artist Brice Banfield got recognized for his support of the arts.

Illustrator Dean MacAdam was in charge of hanging all 65 pieces of art in the Drawsome! show along with Cazi Tena.

Dean MacAdam generously donated his illustration "Reading Hill" to the library's children's section. Dean is an illustration technology leader dedicated to education, his #1 selling iPad book, Bobo Explores Light has gotten rave reviews, educating kids in an engaging way.

Anitza Rodriguez and Cecilia Eguia Serrano - El Solde Tijuana, Ejecutivo de Ventas Espectaculos Cultura 

Cecilia Eguia Serrano stopped by to interview Eddie Holly and I about the Drawsome! Art Show. Cecilia speaks Spanish and Eddie and I do not. Luckily, Anitza translated everything we said!

Artist Martha Ambrose, opening night of Drawsome!

That night, Tori Roze, an up and coming local musician, was the toast of the evening.

Through a generous grant from the Chula Vista City Council, I was able to print a giant drawing of Tori Roze and donate it to the the Chula Vista Library. Tori and I both signed the canvas print that night.  (Printed and assembled by Cathy Kniess at Chrome Digital)

In celebration, Tori Roze and the Hot Mess played an inspirational set on opening night. (Yeah, we had two rock bands that night!)   Thanks Tori!   Listen to the album.

Paul Davies and I checking out the Tori Roze print hanging in the Chula Vista Library.

The Hot Mess guitarist's supports the musical arts with some gorgeous guitar playing.

Hellz yeah, Tori Roze plays the trumpet, kid.

Gourmet food trucks!

Folks gotta eat! The food trucks were super delicious, and charitable too! They supported the arts by donating some proceeds to the local high school band. I ate the last carne asada burrito, it was for a good cause, yo.

Dave Wilkin's youngest fan waits for the artist to autograph her El Zombo book - a book about the world's greatest luchador, back from the dead...

Betty Woznis the Library Director and Senator Juan Vargas' representative stopped by to see the show and to recognize the artists for supporting the arts in Chula Vista. Thanks for letting us have rock bands in your library!

Jin Yung Kim, Dave Wilkins, and Graham Smith, with our recognition certificates from the California State Senate. Thanks for supporting the arts Chula Vista!

Artist Cazi Tena hung the 65 piece show in a long night of curating and nail hammering with illustrator Dean MacAdam and the CVCAC volunteers

Dawn Vitale, Director of Marketing at Eventful did the marketing for the show - all Pro-Bono.

Dave Wilkins donated a bunch of his El Zombo books to the library. Then, he sat in the back room and signed autographs for his fans. 

Dave Wilkins illustrates books, is a professional luchador, creates artwork for Sony, and most recently, comic book covers for DC's the Green Lantern!

Artist Aaron Kasten gets officially recognized for his support of the arts.

Artist Kimie Kim is congratulated by Deputy Mayor Rudy Ramirez (wearing shorts and flip flops). Hey, it's California, man.

Admiring the art of Cazi Tena.

Joy Watley - Chula Vista South Branch Manager.

Anitza Rodriguez Chula Vista Community Art Center leader and City Council Representative.

Artist Jin Kim getting props.

Graham Smith with Sketchbook Session: San Diego founders:  Eddie Holly and Paul Davies, with artist Aaron Kasten.

Towards the end of the night, a tweenaged girl asked me if Sue Dawe, the unicorn lady, was really at the show. I pointed her to the artists lounge. A while later, I saw her running and yelling, "Sue Dawe drew me a unicorn!" The little kid waved it in the air and skipped away.

The San Diego Sketchbook Session Artists are a mix of professional artists currently working to create video games, concept art for movies, tee shirts, books, magazines and comics, all dedicated to supporting the arts in San Diego. They meet once a week at a cafe in San Diego to draw in their sketchbooks.

Drawsome! Art Show - Sketchbook Session: San Diego Artists
Paul Davies  Eddy Holly Cazi Tena  Graham Smith  Martha Ambrose  Dzu Nguyen Peter Han  Jared Lipscomb  Jin Kim  Dave Wilkins  Sue Dawe  Brice Banfield  Kimie Kim  Dean MacAdam  Aaron Kasten,  Ian Holaday

_______________________________________________

Credits:

Art Donors: 
Dave Wilkins
Dean MacAdam
Graham Smith

Coffee: Starbucks on Palomar St. in Chula Vista

CVCAG Volunteers
Anitza Rodriguez
Alanna Hinds
Chelsea Reyes
Janelle Hinds
Lexi
Guy Fisher
Amanda
Elisa
Entertainment Volunteers:

Creative Entertainment by Judah Buxton - Balloon Artist  
Elidia Cabrero - Face Painter
Jared Lispcomb - caricatures
Natasha Papousek - Crescent Moon Design


Food Trucks
Crazy Wheel Coffee 
Delicioso Food Truck
Two for the Road 

Library
Betty Woznis - Library Director
Joy Whatley - Chula Vista Library, South Branch Manger

Marketing: Eventful
 
Music:
Javier Batiz
Tori Roze and the Hot Mess

Photos: Ian Holaday Arts.

Drawsome! Art Show

Drawsome! Art Show
San Diego Sketchbook Session Artists
________________________________________________________

Opening Reception: 6-9 pm Friday, Sept. 2, 2011
Chula Vista Library, South Branch. 389 Orange Avenue. Chula Vista. CA. 91911
 ________________________________________________________

Artwork by local video game and movie concept artists, tee shirt designers and illustrators, presented by the San Diego Sketchbook Session Artists in collaboration with Chula Vista Community Arts Group and the Chula Vista Public Library.

Live Demo: Digital Photoshop painting by Dzu Nguyen. Caricatures by Seaworld artist, Jared Lipcomb. Free: balloon sculptures, face painting, henna tattoos, painting and drawing area for kids.  Music: Javier Batiz, Tori Roze and the Hot Mess. Food Trucks:  Crazy Wheel Coffee , Two for the Road , Delicioso Food Truck all donate 20% of proceeds to the Library.

San Diego Sketchbook Session Artists:
The San Diego Sketchbook Session Artists are a mix of professional artists currently working to create video games, concept art for movies, tee shirts, books, magazines and comics, all dedicated to supporting the arts in San Diego. They meet once a week at a cafe in San Diego to draw in their sketchbooks.

Cazi Tena
Dzu Nguyen
Dean MacAdam
Jared Lipscomb
Eddie Holly
Graham Smith
Paul Davies
Brice Banfield
Kimie Kim
Jin Yung Kim
Aaron Kasten
Sue Dawe
Dave Wilkins
Peter Han
Martha Ambrose