Postcards!

Hi everyone!

I have been very overwhelmed and optimistic about the response I have received so far with my Kickstarter project "The Golden Moth Illumination Deck." I have reached a little over half of my fundraising goal already! Please keep spreading the word through Facebook, blogs, etc, and let me know if there are any blogs or websites you think I should contact who might be interested.

POSTCARDS!

 Right now I am trying to decide which postcards I want printed (postcards are just one of the rewards you can receive when you pledge to the project). I need your input on the final decision. Please leave a comment and let me know which postcards are your favorites! I will be deciding on 6 - 8 images to be printed. And if there is artwork on my website  that isn't shown here which you think will make a great postcard, let me know! I just might be persuaded :)

Thanks!

IT'S HERE! The Golden Moth Illumination Deck!

IT'S HERE! a very special project that I am excited to tell you about. For almost 3 years, I have been giving readings to people (similar to tarot) with a deck of symbolic cards that I illustrated. I am now launching a Kickstarter campaign to raise the funds to get my card deck printed and available for anyone to use!

You can learn about the project here by watching a video, reading more about it, and deciding if you want to pledge a donation! There are all kinds of neat rewards at different pledge amounts, so check it out. YEAH!!!

The funds I raise will be used to print the deck and a bunch of other reward incentives (such as notecards, bookplates, and posters), as well as covering the cost of shipping for people who pledge to back the project. If you're not familiar with Kickstarter, it is a fundraising platform for creative people. The creator of the project collects pledges from people, and different pledge amounts bring different tangible rewards. But part of the reward is knowing that you are supporting someone in their artistic endeavor and making their dreams come true!

My fundraising goal is to collect $4,000 in 30 days. It is an all-or-nothing deal. I have until March 10th to collect this amount (or more), otherwise I do not receive any of the funds that have been pledged. However, if my project goal is successfully funded, backers of the project will be charged their pledge amount on March 10th and I will receive the funds to finish this project! You will have to register for a Kickstarter account (which is free, and doesn't take long to do), and you will have to go through the Amazon checkout process in order for your pledge to be recorded (but remember that your credit card will not be charged until March 10th if my fundraising goal is successful). 

This project is really important to me. Creating and using the cards has been a great learning experience for me and a way to connect with other people on a deeper level. Your donations are much appreciated - I realize these are tough financial times for most. And if you can't donate personally but still want to support the project, please spread the word!

It's Coming...

whew, i've been hard at work on my Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for a very special project called "The Golden Moth Illumination Deck." i am so excited about this! a blog post for the campaign launch will follow shortly (like TODAY!)

for now, here's a teaser:

Style Weekly Article and Art Class Schedule

Hello everyone!

Martha Steger wrote a really nice article about me called "Art as an Everyday Thing" in Richmond's Style Weekly. If you don't have access to the print version, you can read it online here. And if you're looking to see some sun - in painted form, that is - during the holidays, Steger also reviews the Impressionist show for the Muscarelle Museum in Williamsburg here.

For those of you in the Richmond, VA area - I am teaching many classes during the winter/spring semester at the VMFA Studio School and the Visual Arts Center of Richmond.

At VMFA Studio School:
Introduction to Relief Printing Workshop - 2 days, Feb 18 and 19
Introduction to Relief Printing - 6 Wednesday, Mar 21 – Apr 25

At The Visual Arts Center of Richmond:
Printmaking Classes
Introduction to Bookbinding Intensive - 5 days, January 23 – 27
Introduction to Relief Printing Intensive - 5 days, February 6 – 10
Introduction to Relief Printing - 6 Thursdays, February 16 – March 22
Monotype Printmaking - 6 Thursdays, April 5 – May 10
Make Your Own Bookplates Relief Printing Workshop - 2 days, Jan 21 and 22
Monotype Valentine's Day Card Workshop - 1 day, Feb 4
Paper Bead Jewelry Workshop - 2 days, April 28 and 29

 Paper Bead Jewelry Workshop

Make Your Own Bookplates Relief Printing Workshop

Taking an art class is a great way to break up those cold, grey winter days and learn a new skill. I am offering both one and two-day workshops, intensives (5 consecutive days) as well as longer sessions that take place weekly over the course of 6 weeks. In order for a class to run, enrollment must be at least 50% capacity and you must sign up one week ahead of the scheduled class. So don't hesitate to sign up (and invite a friend, too!) because classes start as early as

I wish everyone a wonderful holiday and hope that everyone gets a chance to relax and enjoy time with friends and family.

Best,
Aijung

Holiday Happenings!

apologies for the extreme length of this post, but i have many events that i will be involved in during the next couple of weeks. holiday markets, fundraisers, and celebrations. read on...

Online:
SALE!
in my etsy shop, SPROUT HEAD, i am having a 15% off everything sale! just enter the coupon code HOLIDAY2011 upon checkout. this sale runs through december 5th only! i have some new prints and a poetry chapbook called NON SENSE.

You can also buy some of my zines and art from these online shops:
BuyOlympia
Little Paper Planes

In Portland, Oregon:
I'm selling zines and prints during Reading Frenzy's 16th Annual Cheap Art and Craft Sale! Handmade gifts for under $50!

In Richmond, Virginia:
November 30th 
ART-O-MAT CELEBRATION
6 - 8 pm
at The Visual Arts Center of Richmond
i contributed a limited edition print to the 10th Anniversary Celebration of Art-O-Mat in Richmond. Buy art from well-respected Richmond artists for only $5 each! see previous post for more info.

December 1st
ART KARMA
ART 180's 8th annual silent art auction fundraiser and "good karma party."
Thursday, December 1, 2011
7-10 p.m.
at Plant Zero
0 E. 4th St., Richmond, VA 23224
Eclectic silent auction of art, services, and dining; music; hors d'oeuvres; a cash bar, tarot readers, henna tattoing, body painting, chair massages and more! i will be reading fortunes with my self-illustrated deck of cards.

Art 180 is an organization I first got involved with last year when i illustrated their calendar. this year, my friend Sarah Hand illustrated the calendar, and it is truly awesome! All proceeds go towards expanding the scope of Art 180 to provide art programs for at-risk-youth. 


December 2nd
A HOLIDAY MARKET

6 -10 pm, FREE

Gallery 5
200 W. Marshall St.
Featuring live musical and dance performances, visual art exhibitions, select Virginia micro-brews and wine, a snow-globe making workshop and wrapping paper station! This opening night is held in conjunction with Richmond’s First Friday’s Art Walk.

December 3rd
2nd ANNUAL CHRISTKINDL MARKT
10 am - 2 pm
First Baptist Church
on the corner of Monument and Boulevard
A European-style outdoor market - live Christmas trees and wreaths, art and crafts from 50 vendors, food and drink, and a real Saint Nick!

Sunday, December 4th
ANNUAL HOLIDAY OPEN HOUSE: PRESENT FACTORY AT THE VISUAL ARTS CENTER OF RICHMOND
1:30 until 3:30 PM
Visual Arts Center of Richmond
1812 W. Main St.
Food, music, and art-making for the whole family. Five free hands-on workshops: Shrinkle Shrine Necklaces, Festive Collagraph Cards + Gift Tags, Embossed Metal Ornaments, Fiber Celebration Garlands, and Felt Monster Pins + Puppets ~ and one $5 workshop: Silk Painted Light Catchers. Bring your own T-shirt to screenprint our Explore your creative spirit motto. Come make something!

Sunday, December 11th  
HANDMADE HOLIDAY
11 am - 5 pm
at Plant Zero

0 E. 4th St., Richmond, VA 23224
one of the best (in my opinion) indy craft markets in richmond. Come support local and regional art vendors and do some holiday shopping!

Ongoing through December 24th
BIZARRE MARKET HOLIDAY EDITION
in the upstairs gallery of Chop Suey Books
2913 W. Cary St.
Hours: 10-6 Monday through Thursday, 10-8 on Fridays and Saturdays, and 12-6 on Sundays.
it's a truly magical sight - all sorts of curious and pretty handmade goodies in one small space. Over 50 artists and crafters included. Terrariums, animal-friendly antlers, handknit handwarmers and hats, jewelry, screenprints, soap, t-shirts... you'll discover something new everytime you visit!

i also contributed a piece of artwork to the Tiny Auction, shown here:

it's on the wall to the left right when you enter the shop. a bunch of artists have donated original  artwork that you can bid on, and all proceeds go toward the scholarship fund for the Richmond Young Writers program.

Every Sunday 10 am - 3 pm (weather permitting)
FANCY FLEA COMMUNITY MARKET
700 Idlewood Ave, next to Fine Foods
An outdoor market in Oregon Hill featuring clothing, antiques, collectibles and vintage items.

December 2nd through Christmas Eve
GREAT GIFTS HOLIDAY MARKET
The Bridge Progressive Arts Initiative
209 Monticello Road
Charlottesville, VA 22902
A holiday shop of local and regional artists.

WINTER/SPRING WORKSHOPS
at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond. I am teaching relief printmaking, monotype printmaking, bookbinding, and paper bead jewelry from January through May. Members of VisArts may register early, all others register starting on Dec. 7th. I will also be teaching relief printmaking at the VMFA Studio School. I'll post more details and photos from classes soon.

Art-O-Mat!

I was asked to contribute to a special project to celebrate the Art-O-Mat in Richmond on Wednesday, Nov. 30th from 6 - 8 pm at the Visual Arts Center of Richmond. It is its 10th Anniversary of being at home at The Visual Arts Center of Richmond. Here is info from the press release:

Art-o-mat machines are retired cigarette vending machines that have been converted to vend art. There are more than 90 active machines in various locations throughout the country. Richmond's machine is #33, meaning its the 33rd machine put into action. The international project was created in 1997 by Winston-Salem artist and Art-o-mat National Bureau Chief, Clark Whittington, who refurbishes every machine and manages the ever-expanding Art-o-mat project.

A special display of Art-o-mat art, curated by longtime Art-o-mat supporter and artist, Alyssa Salomon, will be on display in the lobby of the Visual Arts Center from November 30, 2011 – January 22, 2012.

In honor of this momentous anniversary, 17 well respected Richmond artists, plus North Carolina-based Art-o-mat founder Clark Whittington, are creating limited 20-piece editions. These works will be loaded in the Richmond Art-o-mat on Nov. 30 and available until sold out.  Perfect gifts for you & those on your lists.

Art-o-mat founder Clark Whittington presents a talk about the history of the Art-o-mat project at 6:30 p.m., plus a festive reception, AND special Anniversary Art-o-mat art loaded in our local machine and available for sale, for just $5 just like always.

This event is free and open to the public.

I made a limited edition print (only 21 prints!) of a little terrarium in a bottle. I painted the edge of each block with either lime green, orange, or pink, so it's a surprise which one you will receive.  and only for $5! come on down to the Visual Arts Center and get yours!

NON SENSE poetry chapbook

okay, here it is: my first chapbook-length book of poems! 17 of them - about dreams, the frailty and strength of human existence, non-being, mystery, and renewal. it's hard for me to describe. but it means a lot to be able to share something that came from the more raw and tender parts of my heart with friends, family, and the world. I pulled together glimpes of my last few years in words and arranged them in four parts: "Non," "Sense," Promise," and "Return."

Excerpt from the poem "Chrysalis":

wet one finger to the wind &
follow the cold on your skin
your weathered face says much
& little
to one who needs to know
where to begin & end
when to follow & when to sing

This book was lovingly handbound by myself using sturdy yellow thread on an apple green gatefold cover. I typed the poems using a Tower Challenger typewriter, laid out every page by hand using the classic cut-&-paste technique, then photocopied it all onto a very pale chartreuse recycled paper. Each cover is also inset with an original cyanotype image in deep prussian blue and white.

"Non Sense" is printed in an edition of 75 copies. Each is numbered and signed by me. you can buy your own copy in my shop.

here are some photos of the process of making each cyanotype:

 

i arranged string and words i cut out of paper onto a pre-coated cyanotype paper (I used Tedco Sun Art Paper), then exposed the paper to UV light using a UV light unit (if you do this at home, you can just expose the paper to sunlight).

This is how the paper looks after being exposed to light.

then i rinsed the paper in water. you can see how the color reverses once water hits it. i had to repeat the process for each piece of paper, so they are all just a little bit different.

the making of each book is time-consuming, but i feel like it adds to the special handmade character of the chapbook.