Chaos Theory 2

The people of the Arlyn Pillay Gallery were awesome! I really enjoyed talking to the other artists, meeting the owner, Arlyn, and listening to really talented musicians. Arlyn is incredibly eclectic in his style, his paintings hang all over the gallery. I love the fantasy of them. He is offering so much to local artists in his space in Santa Ana. From permanent spots in the gallery, to life drawing sessions, karaoke breaks, and soon to come even a video game lounge. Thoroughly impressed. 

This upcoming weekend (February 6th, Saturday) I have 2 series of paintings (6 total) at the Orange County for Contemporary Art in Santa Ana. 

I really appreciate the OCCCA for putting this show together. It was an open call for artists (with entry fee), as long as you had things you wanted in the show (and they were wired) you'd have them in the show. 

I had never wired a painting before. The pieces I was really wanting to enter were on the large side (24"x30") on sheets of masonite. I chose masonite as an economical alternative to buying canvas. I'd get them at $2 a piece at the art supply or even free from places like Lowe's and Home Depot when they had available scraps. When I busted these two series out I honestly didn't have the notion I'd have to hang them at some point. The only issue in having these pieces wired was there was no panel to stick anything into.. So not only did I have to figure how to wire them I needed to make paneling to add to the backs of each one of them.

I spent most of the month trying to schedule time to meet up with someone who knew how to use a chop saw, make frames, and wire them. School started and matching schedules became impossible. I was faced with the venture on my own. I started going after my teachers.

I am so blessed to be surrounded by such knowledgeable artists, and that they make time to answer my endless questions (seriously endless). I had a demo done for me at Saddleback by Larry "the tool guy" Ward. The relief I had after seeing how it was done was beautiful. THANK YOU LARRY OH MY GOD! And thank you Cybele for sending me to him! My Cal State Long Beach painting teacher Andrea Bersaglieri showed me the tools I'd need to wire, how they should be positioned on the panels, and how to put the panels together. THANK YOU!!! My shop teacher seemed kind of put off by my eagerness to start cutting. "Hey, are you going to be in for shop hours today, Aliza is ready to go here." 

It took me all week waking up at 5am and sleeping at 11pm trying to get things done before and after work and school. But my work is sitting inside the OCCCA right now and I feel pretty damn accomplished.

 When I got there there was a line around the building! 

3 week until the next one. Better get working now (and hustling on my homework, yikes!).