Slowing Down with Jazz

There's something about jazz music on a cold San Francisco night that is relaxing. Especially after the long holiday, it's a luxury to be back in my studio, chilling out to the awesomeness of Herbie Hancock.

Maybe it's a personal thing, but jazz reminds me to slow down and become more considerate. It also reminds me that improvisation can reap better results. Both of which are part of my goals for the New Year (note that I didn't say "resolution" - I feel like resolutions aren't created, or taken, as seriously).

Click for the extended entry

New Year

For this post I had planned a short editorial, but after three scrapped drafts, I think it will have to wait. So, for now, I'll keep it short, and wish you guys a happy new year! I'll be back in 2010 with some new in progress work, and upcoming events!

Process at its Core - Developing New Work

I've never been a super-reclusive artist. Actually, I like to keep things as open and accessible as possible. I want people to see glimmers of the studio process, because process can be as important as the finished product (if not more so). Even with work that takes five minutes to create, there are multiple levels of emotion and skill that are accessed to create that work of art; I'm not sure many people are aware of that..

Click for the extended entry

111 Minna & Fivepoints Arthouse

Last month, I doubled my report and dropped by 111 Minna for "The Novemberists", as well as Fivepoints Arthouse for "Paper Tigers" (right around the corner from 111 Minna, I highly recommend checking out Fivepoints - it's a space with great character). Pics and report, as usual, can be found on Fecal Face!

Tucker Nichols @ Gallery 16

It's been a little over a year since I shot Tucker Nichols' show at the DeYoung, and I thought Gallery 16 would be a great opportunity to catch up with his work. Definitely a recommended show! But if you can't make it by this month, check out the pics and report on Fecal Face.

Back to the Grind!

Now that I'm settled into the new space and am (somewhat) settled into the new job, it's back to my nightly 4am grind! However, if you've been following the blog for a while, you'll probably remember this piece. It never quite got finished due to preparations for the show at Cafe Royale, but now it's back out of storage. God only knows how long it will take to finish.. it's already taken twice as long as expected. Stay tuned for further (fully caffeinated) progress reports.

Video Blog 010 - New Space, New Inspiration

Been video blogging for a year now, and I've made it up to #10! So, what have I been up to lately? Too many things..

Sociology #2 on Flickr

Just dropping a quick note to say, I've uploaded Sociology #2 to the Flickr account! So if you missed the "Mass Populous" reception back in September, you can now check out the book we were giving away (unfortunately, the actual hard copies of S2 are now sold out).

Pics from 3D Canvas @ Terminal22!

I really didn't shoot any formal reception pics at Terminal 22 (just got a couple of snapshots for Facebook and Flickr), however, there's tons of photos and video online from the 3D Canvas show! Here's a couple of links:

Turnaround Photos of my "Pan-Dur" on Terminal 22's website

The show also got a write-up on Spanky Stokes!

And there were a couple of videos made at the show, including this one:

3D Canvas show at Terminal 22 OCT 2nd 2009 from Michael Hammond on Vimeo.

Shooting Gallery, White Walls, & Gallery Three

Tree houses, butterflies, and a post apocalyptic San Francisco! Check out the extensive report on last month's cluster of shows, only on Fecal Face!

"Mass Populous" on Fecal Face!

This is the last weekend you can catch my solo show, "Mass Populous" at Cafe Royale! But in case you can't make it out, Fecal Face recently posted a review of the show reception, courtesy of Mr. & Mrs. John Trippe, and Ashley Taylor! You can check it out on FecalFace.com!

3D Canvas @ Terminal22

This October I'm customizing a toy for a show at Terminal 22! I'm pretty stoked; it's a great artist lineup, and I've always wanted to customize a toy!

"3D Canvas"

Terminal22 Gallery

Fri. October 2nd, 6 - 10 pm

2443 Telegraph Ave,

Oakland, CA

Video Blog 009 - "Reception at Cafe Royale"

Photos by Shaun Roberts

Music by Menhirs of Er Grah

For purchase information on the artwork shown at Cafe Royale, check out curator David Ball's Flickr page!

Cafe Socha Reception Pics!

These are a bit overdue, but none-the-less, here's a batch of photos from the reception at Cafe Socha! The show featured artwork by myself, David Young V, John Felix Arnold III, Bill McRight, and Szajka.

Click here to check out the pics.

(Reception photos courtesy of Shaun Roberts, and my fellow Fecal Face reporter, Ashley Taylor!)

Shawn Barber @ The Shooting Gallery

Last month Shawn Barber returned to The Shooting Gallery with more of his awesome Tattoo Portraits! Check out the pics and report on Fecal Face!

"Mass Populous" now @ Cafe Royale

"Mass Populous"

Cafe Royale

Thurs. September 3rd, 8 - 12 am

800 Post st (@ Leavenworth),

San Francisco, CA

Click for the Facebook invitation!

"Mass Populous" in Progress

As I'm writing this, I have exactly one week left to finish the remaining drawings for my solo show at Cafe Royale. It's not much time, but things are steadily falling into place.. especially since I've been awake until 5am every night.

I also successfully received my frames and put together three of the small pieces, after so much indecision on my part (you can read all about it on Twitter. I feel so bad for my framers..). I'm pretty excited about them though. I decided not to use the mats I had ordered, and instead, created some DiY floating effects that I think will tie in nicely with the release of Sociology #2, and the other give-away goodies at the show.

Now I just have to finish up everything else!

Socha Closing Reception

There's been quite an influx of receptions lately, and here's another one. August 28th we're throwing a closing reception at Cafe Socha for the group show. This one will also include live music by Blankethead! Here's the specs:

"Group Show"

Cafe Socha

Fri. August 28th, 7 - 10 pm

3235 Mission st (@ Valencia),

San Francisco, CA

However, if you can't make it out to this one, don't worry, my solo show is Thursday, September 3rd at Cafe Royale!

School's Out!

Over the summer semester, I had the pleasure of instructing several Art Experience (highschool) courses at the Academy of Art. I taught my usual Still Life Painting, plus Mural, and some short-term Painting Seminar classes. Things were tight, but to be honest, I've never been happier working so hard. To illustrate the craziness, here's a couple of quick snapshots from the student's end-of-the-semester show. Can't wait until the Fall to do it again!

Grand Opening @ Fabric8

It's been a crazy summer with reports too few and far inbetween, but I couldn't skip out on the grand opening of Fabric8's new gallery space. Check out the pics and report on Fecal Face!