Play to Your Strengths

Ok, I admit, sometimes I tape cheesy quotes over my drafting table. This is a really good one though, I got it off of a horoscope. It also popped up the day after I got one saying I needed a new love life asap (that one really made me laugh), so take it with a grain of salt.

"Play to your strengths." It's simple, and when you think about it, it's a pretty strong little quote. Well, it gets me going anyway. But I'm going to challenge it and say "play to your weaknesses" too.

Click for the extended entry

Reception @ Gallery Heist

Just wanted to drop a quick note to say thanks for turning out for the Heist show, guys! The crowd was awesome - tons of people everywhere, checking out and discussing art. Unfortunately, I didn't grab very many pics (once again, I was too busy chatting and catching up.. the best part about receptions!), but I did snag this one of the crowd.

Next up, another potential group show on the horizon! Details coming soon. In the mean time though, I'm off to work at the drafting table for my usual 4am run. Getting really close to finishing up this labor of love (three months in the making, can't wait to be done).

So Much is Burning @ Gallery Heist

This is a bit of a last minute development, but on March 6th I'll be part of the Tenderloin-focused group show "So Much is Burning" at Gallery Heist! The show will also include artists such as Akira Beard, Coro (*cough*lovehiswork*cough*), Mike Giant, Hugh Leeman, C3, Brad K. Alder, and a bunch more! (view the extended entry for links to most of the gang) Here's the specs for the show:

"So Much is Burning"

Gallery Heist

Sat. March 6th, 7 - 11pm

679 Geary St,

San Francisco, CA

As a footnote, the title of the show, "So Much is Burning" is based on a poetry book title by William Taylor. Taylor currently writes about, and is a resident of, the TL. Pretty sweet!

Click for the extended entry of this post with list of link-love!

Symbolism & Drawing @ Sharon Art Studio

This April I'll be conducting a 4 week, 4 session workshop with Sharon Art Studio. The course will focus on Symbolism & Drawing as it relates to (my favorite subject) the still life! We'll be reviewing the basics of value and composition, as well as delving into classical grid systems, and symbols used by the old masters. Here's the official info about the class:"Symbolism & Drawing"

Sharon Art Studio

4 Week Workshop

Thursdays, April 1 - 22nd, 6:30pm - 9:30pm

300 Bowling Green Dr,

San Francisco, CA

Click here to check out Sharon Art Studio, and sign up!

Erik Otto @ White Walls

This announcement has been several months in the making (and my deepest apologies to all who were waiting for me to get things together), but I am now guest blogging for Curbs & Stoops as a West Coast correspondent! My focus will mainly be on conducting interviews, though I might slip in a report here or there to mix it up.

For my first entry to Curbs, I scoped out Erik Otto's work. A blend of street and design, Erik work has knocked me off my feet a few times with his insane installations (the most memorable for me being this tree house at the Shooting Gallery last October). Check out the post and some examples of Erik's work, now on Curbs & Stoops!

Social Butterfly: Social Media for Artists

Next month, I'm going to be part of a panel discussion about social media for artists! The event will also include guest speakers Tim Aldridge and Mike Yochum (moderated by Stephen Wagner). Here's the official pitch, plus the details:

"Learn to use Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, Flickr, Imagekind, and other on-line sites to successfully market yourself and your artwork, with tips, suggestions, & strategies from those who have mastered the art of social networking & on-line marketing."

"Social Butterfly: Social Media for Artists"

San Francisco Artist Network

Arc Studios & Gallery

Wed. February 24th, 7:00pm - 9:00pm

1246 Folsom st,

San Francisco, CA

Click here for the official Facebook invite!

Video Blog 011 - "Artists & Culture"

Just a few things I've been thinking about lately; mostly want to spark a dialogue with this one. What do you guys think? As fellow artists and art enthusiasts, what do you feel your role is in society?

The Protagonist @ SPACE Gallery

The first group show of 2010, "The Protagonist" will feature two of my drawings from "Mass Populous", as well as artwork by Adam Caldwell, David Young, Aaron Lawrence, Nolan Yelonek, Paul Konzen, Red Jordan Arobateau, and more!

"The Protagonist"

SPACE Gallery

Fri. January 15th, 8pm - Late

1141 Polk st,

San Francisco, CA

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