#53, 2005-2008, 38 inch diameter x 14.5 inches
#63, 2007-2010, 45 x 40 x 24 inches
#69, 2008-2010, 51 x 22 x 19 inches
#69, 2008-2010, 51 x 22 x 19 inches (detail)
Quite a few years ago I discovered a wonderful piece of art in a New American Paintings magazine. The artists name was Hiroyuki Hamada. I was instantly taken by his work because at first glance I could tell that our creativity resonated from the same inspiration. We both have a way of combining nature and industry, texture and polish, all within a minimalist style that draws people to take in the details at the same time steping back to absorb the work as a whole.
Hiroyuki's art has such dynamicism that from a distance you marvel at the forms and shapes taking in the structures and mass, then as you approach you begin to detect the details and nuances that bring the surface to life.
After locating him on the web I created a link on my website to his in hopes that others might discover and enjoy his work as well. As it tuned out the link worked. One day I received a thank you email from Hiroyuki saying that people had been passing from my site to his. From that day forward we've stayed in contact.
Through the years I've watched his work develop and his popularity grow and it has been much deserved. So what better way to introduce others to his work but by announcing his current show. I know it's out of the way for most of my readers but if some of you way out there on the East coast have the time I think it would be worth the trip.
Hiroyuki will be showing at Art Sites Gallery in Riverhead, New York, August 28 through October 10. More information can be found at the pertinent links below.
I also hope everyone takes the time to visit his website where you will find many great examples of his art. While there make sure to view the video detailing his work, inspiration and process.
He has also published a great book on Blurb. It is filled with beautiful images of his pieces and makes a great addition to anyones art library.
Here's a bit about Hiroyuki Hamada in his own words. "I believe a visual language without the apparent subject matters can be as effective as good music in moving people. We are blessed to have this ability to share and confirm the ecstatic moments of life through art. I would be very happy if I could take a part in this very special process."
- List of links:
- Hiroyuki Hamada's website
- His video
- His blog
- Art Sites Gallery
- Press release (PDF file)
- His book
There's some new things happening over at Brandt Design. Along with changes to products and services we've also changed our name to Square15. Click on the photo and head over to our new site to learn more. You can also check out our announcement letter here.
If you know me at all you know that I love the wonders of Photoshop. I've spent countless hours illustrating, photo retouching and designing with it. Recently a very interesting site was brought to my attention. Have a look and see for yourself what others can, and apparently cannot do (at least correctly), with this power tool of a program. Head over to Photoshop Disasters.
Back from France and back to reality. The trip was wonderful and Paris is a beautiful city. In just the short time that we were there I realized that the preconceptions America has of France and France of America is incorrect. Even in the fast pace of a big city everyone was warm and welcoming. The city is a metropolis full of history, architectural beauty and amazing diversity. Our short trip out to Monet's Garden makes me wish we had more time to spend exploring the countryside. Southern France is looking very attractive for our next visit.
While I was there I posted some short observations and thoughts on Facebook. For those of you who don't access my account, here's a short recap. Be looking for photos in the future, once I get through the rush of being back I plan on getting some online.
No one knows where New Mexico is. Everyone thinks we're from Mexico...
Still trying to figure out if I'm in NY or Paris. People walk fast and talk fast so its up for grabs...
Today we walked to the Louvre. Tomorrow we'll take the Metro so we can walk through the Louvre. It's bigger than Albuquerque...
Chicago looks great from the Sears. NY looks great from the Empire. Over two hours wait? The Eiffel looks beautiful from the ground...
Dinner at an Irish pub in Paris run by Chinese. Still great food...
I'm wearing a black shirt today. It appears our white dog came with us to France...
Yesterday was a "Shop 'till You Drop" day. You can never get enough of jewelry and handbags...can you, guys.
We did drop in the end though. Jill dropped her bags and I dropped my a** on the couch. Not even my second afternoon espresso kept me going.
Every corner has a wonderful café to sit and people watch. Whether it be food, drink or in our case lots of pastries, it's a great cultural experience. Another pain au chocolat s'il vous plaît…
Then there's the dogs: in the US we need to watch the Dog Whisperer to control our pets. Here they just whisper to their dogs. No leashes, no running off, no disciplinary action needed. They're allowed anywhere and in everywhere. We witnessed multiple dog sightings in markets, shops and in a seven story department store...didn't know it was possible.
I'm going to need a vacation from this vacation...
Monet's garden is beautiful. I picked weeds for three hours...
It's okay if you can't focus on more than one thing at a time. Just don't stop to think while walking a busy sidewalk...
Run for the light, run for the Metro, run for the bus, run for taxi...we've been bumped into just a bit...
Sit, walk, sit, walk then sit again...
On May 13, 2010 Scandinavia invaded Paris...
I was crapped on by a pigeon again today. It happened in Rome, New York, now Paris. Even under our patio in Albuquerque. I'm a shit magnet.
Drinking my last espresso on our last night. Sad to leave such a beautiful country...glad to return to my furry kids and the desert I call home.
I'd like send out a quick thank you to Kathy Kavan. Kathy wrote a cover on her blog about Polaroid photography and somehow located me amongst the untold number of flickr users. And I thought it would be impossible to get noticed in the infinite space of the internet…
Read Kathy's writeup "Viva la Polaroid" here.
One other bit of info for you Polaroid lovers out there, the Impossible Project has finally come to fruition. Rebranded Impossible, the company has started manufacturing their first instant integral film for the SX-70 Polaroid cameras. I'm looking forward to my PX 100 Silver Shade to be delivered any day now.
Visit their site to find out more: Impossible
A new student appeared at the beginning of my third year as an art major at University. She was a transfer from a school in Northern Wisconsin who moved to the outskirts of the Chicagoland area to follow her partner for his job relocation. Her name was Jill.
At the time of our studies the art department was relatively small in size, we were a tight knit group and it didn't take long for us to become friends and studio companions. We learned and shared together, the whole time letting our friendship grow. We learned a lot about art and creativity, but more importantly we learned about each other…a relationship of openness and caring.
But, as was inevitable, graduation was upon us and like many school friendships it was time to part ways. She was headed home to Tucson, and I back to the suburbs of Chicago.
After graduation our lives developed in different direction save for one commonality, personal growth. The time apart led us on paths of self awareness that made us stronger, more mature individuals.
One night while sitting at the computer, thoughts of my old friend came back to me, and as I reminisced I realized I had no means of contacting her; no phone number, no email, no mailing address. How was she? What was she up to? Where had the last three years led her? Questions I thought I'd never have answers to. Well, at that exact same time I wasn't the only one having those thoughts, the very next day I received an email from her. Coincidence? I think it was fate.
One month later I was on my first vacation, a trip to Tucson to visit Jill my collage friend. Inevitably sparks flew and the next month I was on a one way flight back to Tucson followed by a road trip back home, but this time together with her where our relationship continued, but as you can guess, on much deeper level. Almost three years to the month of our separation we were on a path to be united forever. One year later we were married and now after 11 years of marriage we still enjoy the story of how our lives united, separated and united again.
That three year gap was an important separation in our relationship. We found ourselves, we grew as individuals and became aware of what we were looking for in life, at the same time discovering we had the same desire to be together again. I look forward to many more years together with her continuing to grow, learn and love.
Happy Valentine's Day sweetheart...
Approaching 40 leads to moments when the reality of my age become more apparent. Though not considered old by today's standards, signs appear more and more frequently that remind me of the direction I'm heading. It becomes even more obvious when I witness the lives of those a good generation or so younger than me. At 38 the memories of being that age are still fresh in my memory, albeit fading slowly. Once full of the same vigor, to see the energy and freedom that can come from an individual of this age actually amazes me.
Speaking of freedom (or these days, what I like to call free time) my wife and I decided to spend the last day of our holiday break doing something to fill that free time, cleaning the bedroom from top to bottom. It went something like this…
Rising bright and early, I skip the shower and other matters of hygiene and replace it with a good strong cup of coffee. I give the body a few minutes to catch the buzz then grab the keys and wallet and head on out to rent the carpet cleaner. I return home ASAP to get back to the coffee before the first buzz fades and tank up for a second. By 9:00am the body is up and running and we're ready to get to work. Now we know time is at a premium, not because we have something better to do after the job is complete but because a newly discovered paradox is taking place. The earlier we start the more time we have to work with, which we need because the time we do have fills easily with the speed in which our pace decreases as the day progresses.
So, back at home the room gets stripped from top to bottom. Bed out, furniture out, rug up then stop for more coffee. Back to work. The vacuum is out and running and the mop prepped and ready to go. Curtains are down, linens out and the wash begins (as the pile grows on the laundry room floor). Next, vacuum the rug, the floor, the cobwebs and anything conveniently passed over the previous year. Now mop and re-mop until the water stops looking something akin to runoff heading for the sewer. Then the big one, shampoo the carpet until all those years of dirt and stains begin to soften and come up.
We're moving right along and the time on the clock still looks good. So now it's on to the smaller stuff. Clean the blind, dust the furniture and odds and ends all the while waiting for the carpet to dry. Another glance at the clock and we begin to wonder what just happened to that full day.
It's now early afternoon and the lights in our brain are starting to fade. At this point the coffee pot is empty, maybe something more substantial is in order. Best head out for a late lunch and run a few errands while the carpet dries...slowly.
The food and soda add just enough fuel to the furnace to get us through a few more hours, which is good because the finish line is appearing in the horizon. Beginning to feel tired, we find any little task to keep up the momentum. As good as a short rest sounds we know that once we hit the bed…strike that, the bed hasn't been put back yet, when will that carpet dry already?…once we hit the sofa our bodies will give out and we'll be left with a bedroom rendered unusable for weeks.
So back at it. Seeing that night is approaching we start moving furniture back into place and rounding out the laundry. Its time to drop the bed...I can live with damp socks for a day.
That's about it, our bodies are about to stop functioning and just in time. As Jill and I stand in the doorway admiring the strong days work refreshing the love nest we look in each others eyes and smile. There's the clean bed she says, are you thinking what I'm thinking, yes I reply. So with the little energy we have left we close the clean blinds and curtains and slide under the fresh sheets. With eyes locked we smile and whisper those words that represent so many years of love, relationship and marriage...I love you, I love you too. Then we hit the nightstand light and with a tender touch and a kiss we say what we've been mutually thinking all day…I'm beat, let's get some sleep.
Something tells me that if we were still a part of that previous generation, the cleaning could have waited and the bed probably would have been put to better use…
