fight to love

fighttolove

I had the pleasure of creating this wood burning for a couple who met while protesting. I’m rarely happy with what I create but as I finished this piece (my first commissioned wood burning!) I fell in love with it! I ALMOST kept it for myself^_^ I love commissions because they push me to create new things with new stories.

Part of the reason I didn’t want to give this up is that their story was so sweet – so to you two, happy anniversary! May you keep loving and keep fighting! <3

p.s.today is the last day toorder‬and receive it before xmas (US orders)! select priority‪‎mail‬on check out!

honu

honu_pendant

we’re super excited to share our newest laser-etched pendant based off one of my original wood burnings! honu is now available in our shop ^_^

have a happy weekend!

burn to shine available now!

Screen shot 2014-11-03 at 10.05.24 AM  my solo show, burn to shine is now available here! we sold quite a few opening night but there are still many pieces available to purchase. pieces will be available online or in-store at trickster until november 30th, shipping worldwide. ^_^

happy monday!

more minis

minis2available now!

 

burn to shine

minis1

Over the past 3 months, nearly every evening, I’ve been burning mini wood pieces for my solo show, Burn to Shine. I’ve created 100 pieces! It’s what I set out to do, but in the middle (and to be honest at the end) I thought I wasn’t going to make it. I committed to 100 because I thought it’d be a good goal. It’s been physically hard and yet incredibly rewarding. I’ve explored and played with negative space, pattern, background, and character. This was my first attempt at creating such a large number of original wood pieces – I tried to keep each piece distinct and interesting. I won’t say I’ll never do it again, but I might give myself more time!

I will be sharing a few collections of the pieces through this week. I hope to see you at the opening night at Trickster in Berkeley this Saturday! If you’re not in the area the pieces will be up for sale after opening night ^_^

After that, I’ll be taking a long hiatus from wood burning!

burn to shine

minis

 

I am super excited to announce my solo show at Trickster in Berkeley in November. Burn to Shine: 100 mini wood burnings (all the pieces will also be available for purchase online, each piece will be $65). The opening reception will be November 1st. I am posting my progress on Instagram and Facebook. Between now and November I will create 80 more pieces! It’s the largest number of wood burnings I’ve set out to create to date. It’s incredibly fun to explore different animals, backgrounds, and patterns. I create many with mehndi patterns in mind, but I also love burning waves and using negative space to create a soft and subtle environments.

I also wanted to take this opportunity to share a bit about my materials and process!

woodburningmaterials

 

1. Wood slices. I obtain these from either Etsy, Michaels arts & crafts or Amazon. I shop for wood that is light in color without any dark marks or knots. If there are marks, I try and incorporate them into the work. The wood type varies from walnut, basswood, to cherry and oak.

2. Colwood Cub electrical unit. This unit heats my pens, it has great temperature control and its portable with a long enough cord so I can burn in my studio or living room (it smells so good!). I usually keep the temperature between 7 and 8, but when I want to create a softer, lighter background or environment I will turn it down to 6. I have never gone past 9, I think I’d burn my fingers!

3. A finished piece for the show!

4. A mechanical pencil. I use this to draw the character on the wood before burning. I never draw in pattern or background, only the central figure. Background and pattern I create in the moment. It’s my favorite part. It feels meditative and organic.

5. My two favorite fixed pens. I use both of these on each piece. One creates a thicker line I use for outlines of shape and the other I used for details like eyes, lips, and sometimes pattern.

6. Replaceable pen and replacement tips. I use these pens less often, but I do love the variety and texture I can get from them. There are two kinds of pens: fixed tips are just that, you cannot replace the tip only the whole pen. Replacement tips have one base and you can switch tips. I prefer fixed tips so I can switch mid burn and don’t have to wait for the tip to cool to take it off the base. Since I switch pens at least twice in every burn fixed tip work best for me.

7. Sand paper. Essential! If the grain on a piece of wood isn’t sanded down enough the pen will get stuck in the grooves and create a funky burn. Nearly every piece of wood can benefit from a quick sand to make sure the end result is pleasing.

That’s all from me! It’s been so much fun to work on the books during the day and burn at night – hope to see you in November ^_^

minis

miniburnings

These are just a few mini original wood burnings I’ve been creating for San Diego Comicon. It’s been a fun way to spend my evenings as Comicon prep is in full swing! We’ll be at table O-13 ^_^

small originals studio sale

studiosale2014

I’m having a great big spring sale of small original work. This Saturday I will have 6 small watercolors, 3 framed watercolors, a few mini wood burnings, a bunch of post-its and two painted dolls available. Meanwhile, I have reduced the prices on all my large wood burnings already.

emerald city comicon bound

everydayloveECCC

we will be driving up to seattle on thursday for one of my favorite conventions of the year – emerald city comicon. you can find team everyday love near the front (eee!) at booth 607.

i created a few original mini wood burnings especially for the show and of course, we’ll have new prints!

newforeccc

i’ll also have my new laser cut necklaces, and for anyone who purchases over $30 of merch will receive a limited edition reusable bag (while supplies last) – great to carry your con loot in! ^_^

nidhiartgifts

hope to see you there! if you can’t make it and want to follow our adventures, i always post to my instagram account while on the road ^_^

have a wonderful week!

 

burning wood

burninwood

i was recently commissioned to create two wood burnings for a new hospital in oakland. the last time i created commissioned wood burnings was in 2012 for paramount pictures. i was excited because i thought that many people would see the art – it was supposed to be used in a set on star trek into darkness. there are so many decisions, edits, creative calls that are made when constructing a film, i understood from the beginning it wasn’t a sure thing. i eagerly awaited the film’s release, sat in the theater and enjoyed the film, but whichever scene or set the art was procured for never appeared on screen.

i am happy though, that these pieces are headed to a new home, because i know many people will see them…

and after all, art is meant to be seen.

have a happy week! ^_^