The art collective got started in June 2011, and already they have been sponsored by Ironlak and participated last year in the prestigious Art Basel-Miami.  Artist and organizer Meme brought the women together, and sent a proposal to Ironlak last year.  Meme now runs the collective’s website, and organizes more events and projects for the artists.  ”I have to think a year in advance,” Meme told me.

The collective keeps growing, but is a unique group of all women artists from far-flung regions of the U.S.  Women hailing from San Francisco, San Diego, Miami, Seattle, Oakland, now work together on big group projects, kickin’ it and challenging each other to do more and better.
The whole neighborhood turned out to watch as ten women artists took to the wall beginning at 10 AM on Monday morning.  On Sunday, my friend Chilo told our neighbor Don Rafael about the project, but nobody could imagine how big this was going to be.

When you told me,  ”Some people are coming to paint this wall,” says Don Rafael, “I didn’t think it was going to be the next day!”  Half a dozen people came by during the day to invite the artists to come and paint their walls, and the local graffitero kids stood watch for hours, admiration mixed with a tinge of envy.

“Hay que cuidarla,” advised artist Gloria Muriel. “You have to take care of it now.”  Like many local neighborhood people, Don Rafael appreciates the beauty and life the art gives to the street, but worries that the local kids might tag the wall.

“Los graffiteros, espero que no se desmayen,” says Don Rafa. “Vamos a ver que pasa.” The graffiteros, I hope they aren’t discouraged by this!  We will see how long this lasts.

Don Rafa proudly showed me the lights he installed last month in the alley, and guesses that the illumination will protect the space.
But for now, seeing the happy smiles of moms, and kids and teenagers just makes my day!

Stay tuned for more interviews and photos.  For now, I gotta go to work!

For more information on the artists, see FewandFarWomen.com

ARTICLE BY JILL HOLSLIN

La exposición contará con la participación de un excelente grupo de artistas vanguardistas en el movimiento del arte urbano, ellos son:

Foi | Glow | Panca | El Norteño | 1102 | Rod Villa

El evento estará amenizado por la atmósfera musical sabrosa a cardo de Dj Chucuchu.

Los esperamos a todos, la puertas abren desde las 7:00 PM.

Evento coordinado por Fritz Torres.

Through Love and other

Forces of Nature Collection

is available, please contact me

if  interested. Thank you.

20 de Marzo 2012, Tijuana, B.C.- Los directivos de La Caja Galería y Artes Sin Fronteras A.C., presentaron ante los medios de comunicación, instituciones educativas y autoridades culturales de la región el proyecto piloto ‘Graffiti Artístico’ como una estrategia que tiene como objetivo el encausar a los jóvenes en el arte dentro del entorno urbano con sus formas de expresión.
‘El graffiti es una de las expresiones más populares entre los jóvenes y también una de las menos comprendidas’, dijo Jorge Sánchez quien estuvo acompañado de Arturo Rodríguez director de La Caja Galería.
El estudioso del arte aseguró que el tratamiento público del tema ha criminalizado esta práctica sancionando a los adolescentes y dejando fuera del panorama a los responsables de la educación de estos jóvenes.
Dijo además que en esta primera etapa se invitó a representantes de escuelas de educación media y media superior, 4 del sector privado y 4 más del sector público, dentro del rango de acción de La Caja Galería, ubicada en la delegación La Mesa, para la asesoría práctica de los jóvenes y sus maestros.
En la reunión donde también estuvo la maestra en letras, Elsa Arnaiz Rosas, directora general del IMAC, los coordinadores del proyecto ‘Graffiti Artístico’, aclararon que serán los directores de las instituciones: Cobach, Colegio Familia, Instituto Cumbres, Instituto México, Secundaria Miguel De Cervantes Saavedra, Secundaria Técnica Municipal #1 Lic. Adolfo López Mateos y la Preparatoria Federal Lázaro Cárdenas los que seleccionar a un representante de los padres de familia y a un maestro para participar en una discusión abierta e informada sobre este tema, con miras a proponer soluciones.
Indicaron que también cada institución deberá seleccionar a dos alumnos para un taller del 9 al 30 de julio del 2012 que finalizará con un trabajo colectivo en el verano del presente año.
Indicaron que los temas que se tocarán durante el taller serán: Los jóvenes y la cultura del graffiti, Perspectiva legal, Transgresión y represión y Arte urbano y gestión cultural, contando con la asesoría de expertos como: Jorge Sánchez, Israel Elizondo, Gloria Muriel, Roberto Serrano, Gerardo Ranero, Grupo CRAS, Lidice Figueroa y Luis Garzón entre otros.
Finalmente reflexionaron que si bien la urgencia del problema del graffiti vandálico es en zonas como el Florido o la colonia Sánchez Taboada con este proyecto piloto se darán las pautas y facilidades para ofrecerlo a jóvenes de esa parte de la ciudad.

I also wanted to express my gratitude to everyone who attended last saturday’s opening, it was a great time! I am blessed to have people in my life who care and support the work I do, thanks to all for your great feedback I appreciate and love all of you.

Honorary mention to the team at obr Architecture for giving local artist like myself a space to showcase their work, muchísimas gracias!!

Lotsa love

Glow

:: Some pics from the event courtesy of Ana ::

The event will take place this coming Saturday, March 10th at obrGALLERY www.obrarchitecture.com located at 3817 Ray Street San Diego, CA 92104. Doors open at 6:00pm so if you have a chance to swing by please do so, there will be music, food, drinks, art, crafts and good vibes all around, hope to see you all there.

Lotsa love

I was invited to do a wall as part of opening day festivities which included an art fair where locals offered their work to the public, live painting, and an official opening ceremony fiesta with local bands rocking it out, celebrating the first public space dedicated exclusively to promoting emerging local artists.

The space is located at the heart of the city’s civic center (Calle Calafia y Pasaje Celaya) and features 16 impressive walls, all created by the local talents of ROD, IELOW, R9, FERNANDO CORONA, HUMOR, EME, DESEK, BENEK, STAR27, ROGEIRO, NORTEÑO, PASSIVE, RAYA, GUMO, EFREN DE LA CRUZ and the latest one by yours truly.

Needless to say I had a great time, thanks to Patricia and Mariano de la Mora who where in charge of putting this great event together. I would also like to give a shout out to everyone who stopped by to say hi and to all who helped me during the process, you all know who you are.

Lotsa love

glow

But wait that’s not all, this post comes with an added bonus, some footage taken by my friend  “Chipotes” to whom I would like to say thanks, yu roc meng!. (English version soon to be available).

Footage shot by “AGANA” Vanessa Solari Espinoz and Meme

Dayna Hoff founder of this amazing foundation invited me to do live painting during the event which was a great success. Everyone in attendance had a great time getting their hair done, socializing and just having fun while helping support this great cause which raises money for research to find a cure for autism.

I had a great time, thanks again to Dayna for putting this event together and for inviting me to be a part of it, by the way her husband ended up buying my piece…gracias!

Arturo Gonzales a local business owner and entrepreneur was kind enough to let us paint on the outside of Hart Lounge a Hooka & Coffee Lounge located at 734 Park Blvd. downtown San Diego, CA.

The project features the talents of two other well known artist,  Michael Amorillo aka Monstrinho who rocked his angel face (character in the middle) and world renowned Dave Persue who included his trademark character Bunny Kitty (character on left).

Monstrinho did an amazing job capturing the entire project on video, check it out