detail, Gwenhwyfar
9.5" x 4.75" figurative sculpture
stone clay, mixed-media. 2020

If you would like to add this work to your collection, please visit my page with
Cactus Gallery, online!

Two tiny works accompany this sculpture in this year's Tiny Treasures XV with Cactus Gallery; Culhwch (green) and Olwen (lavender) are each 3"x3" and can be found on my Cactus Gallery page

Gwenhwyfar's staff 9” Requires two CR2032 batteries, please keep batteries away from pets and children, as they could be dangerous if swallowed. This is my first attempt at wiring battery operated lighting; Gwenhwyfar’s staff is idiosyncratic, lighting up when it pleases her, or not.  Battery pack is hidden beneath the skirt and attaches to the base with a rare earth magnet. 

Studio Cat photobombs the portfolio shoot.

I've been invited to join a group exhibit with the Pauly Friedman Art Gallery, Misericordia University, Pennsylvania.  Co-Curated with Ted Meyer, 'The Patient-Artist Experience' is on exhibit now, in the Trocaire Building.  
Exhibit runs August 26 2019 - May 31, 2020

Created in 2014, 'The Lines Unread' is a mixed-media work in ink and acrylic, layered over one of my own original poems.  The original work is 14"x'11" on canvas; a print of this work has been sent to Pennsylvania for the exhibit.  The original work appeared  in Los Angeles, as part of my solo exhibit with the UCLA Geffen School of Medicine, 'Forward Motion.'

This work is part of an ongoing series, titled 'Silence.'  See more photos in my gallery.
 

Our 'Glitch' set is a focus on our damaged ecosystems, and the resultant experimentation with mechanized pollinators, which we might need to fill the gap created by bee colony collapse.  Todd and I had a lot of fun playing with the visual elements; tilted, separated canvases to suggest a break in our ecosystems; heavy contrast paired with bleaching of colors, suggestive of interference/static; gear and circuit board body art for the robo-bees we may come to depend on, in the future. 

So many test shoots in such a short time:  Our team has made a real effort, over these last nine months, to learn new techniques and test new ideas with each shoot.  We've come a long way!  In order to further raise awareness about CCD, our team made the decision to show all of our in-progress work on social media; even when our tests didn't turn out as planned.

The Bee Keepers: An ongoing collaborative project in conceptual photography
Series One: Venetus (“clothed in blue.”)

Contributing Artists:

  Jen Raven (Direction; Design; Backdrops; Wardrobe; Body Art) is an artist in acrylics, assemblage, and the performance arts.  She holds a degree in English Literature; her awards include an Arts in the Community Grant from the Arts Council of Kern, and three consecutive Empty Space Awards for Best Gallery Exhibit.  Raven has most recently exhibited with Bunny Gunner Gallery, Claremont; The Gallery at the LRC, UCLA Geffen School of Medicine; and Cactus Gallery, Los Angeles. http://www.jenraven.com

 Todd Powers (Photography; Lighting; Body Art; Editing) is a concepts photographer with a fine arts background.  He studied printmaking, figure-drawing, painting and sculpture at Bakersfield College.  Powers has exhibited his photography with Loft Beats, Pomona; Erns Lab, Upland; and with The Gallery at the LRC, UCLA Geffen School of Medicine.  His work has been published in Bakotopia Magazine, The Bakersfield Californian, and Fashion Bombshell.  http://toddpowersphotography.weebly.com/

 Ande Castaneda (Makeup Design; Hair Styling) is a Bakersfield native, working in Southern California. A self taught makeup artist and formally trained photographer, she also holds four various certifications, two Associate's degrees, and is working toward her first Bachelor's degree in English, as well as her Cosmetology license.  Her work can be seen in music videos, blogs, movies, and magazines internationally. http://www.andecastaneda.com/

  Jessica Alicia Bertrand (Model) lives and works in Southern California.  She is best known for her work as a Tattoo Model, though she is adept in various genres, including Art, Nude, and High Fashion. Jessica's recent publications include Tattoo Erotica (International) Magazine, and a book, "The World's Best Tattoo Models" (Akos Banfalvi). Her performance works include The Rendezvous event, several music videos, and a short fan film, "Camp Crystal Lake," Directed by Rickey Bird.  Quality time with family is a priority in Jessica's life.  In addition to modeling and family, Jessica works full time as a Neuro Rehab Specialist.
To book Jessica for modeling, film, or event: email jessica_b1988@live.com
Jessica on Facebook: www.facebook.com/jessicaaliciabertrand.

 Aileth Bran (Model) is a Art/Alternative model living in Bakersfield CA, where she collaborates with many locally-known fine artists, including Todd Powers, Alex Castaneda, Jen Raven and Crysco Nabisco.  Her most recent public appearances include the HeArts and Hair for Down Syndrome Runway Show with Atomic Kitten Salon at The Nile, Bakersfield, Oct. 2015.  Her work has been published in Project OH! and in Surreal Beauty, Magazines. In addition to modeling, Aileth is an emerging fine artist in acrylics, a four-time participant in the Mental Health Art Show, Bakersfield, and she is currently seeking her tattoo apprenticeship. 
Aileth's Modeling Portfolio: http://thegirlwiththewhitehair.tumblr.com/
Fine Art Portfolio: https://www.facebook.com/AilethBran/.

 April Musick (Model) is a fine arts model living and working in the Central Valley.  She works as a figure model through Project OH! Magazine, in addition to interning for the publication at their local office.  April collaborates routinely with many locally-known fine artists, including Todd Powers, Alex Castaneda, and Rusty Hatfield, whose work can be seen from Las Vegas to Dubai, UAE.   When April isn't modeling, she enjoys spending time with animals, gardening, and practicing yoga.  You can see her collaborative work with other artists at behance.net/rustyhatfield 

It's been especially fun working with model Jessica Bertrand, who discovered she was pregnant, only weeks into the project!  Jessica cheerfully agreed to continue working with us, and allow us to capture her gradual transformation, which is wonderful visually and works so well with our project's theme.  More sets with Jessica will be released as the project continues. 

Most of my individual work in body painting has lately been themed upon bees, as well.  I'm hoping to incorporate some of my traditional brushwork into a future set, in our Bee Keepers series.  Stay tuned!

For more information about this series, including behind-the-scenes photos:

Epaulement and Avant Sets
Danseuse Set
Joyeux Set 

Update!  Photos from my collaboration work "One" with Todd Powers and Alala Archer have joined a new group arts exhibit, "PAIN" at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, in the Gallery at the LRC .

Chickens appear often in my work.

Born with wings, but rarely given the chance to fly, they represent deep, often unsatisfied longing, for that which cannot be --for paths not taken; for unrealized dreams; for unrequited love.

For several weeks, lemon seedlings adorned my windowsill.

The day of the test shoot arrived.  The "test" however, produced such lovely results --too lovely not to publish.  We decided to properly edit this set, and release it:

 'Once Removed'  2012
Photographer Todd Powers
Model/Wardrobe/MUA Jaden Snow
Concept/Body Art Jen Raven Properties Jaden Snow and Jen Raven

"Every act of creation is first of all an act of destruction."  
~Pablo Picasso

It began with a wall. 

A creative wall, that is, and one that I was eager to break through.  I've been longing to finish up my current series, and move on to new things; but for one reason or another, I've been stuck --both on, and off, the canvas.

The take-out box has been for what you take with you, from your experiences in life.  Dine In, Take Out.  I've enjoyed playing with that idea.

The TV has been for the deliberate numbing, or drowning out, of that which you've taken, but you aren't ready to 'digest.'  But lately, the TV has come to represent more of a cycle, for me; I worked on these same three pieces all summer, and I'd paint in the figures, only to paint them out, over and over again.  I began to see the absurd in my creating, only to destroy, these three paintings ... I wasn't really getting anywhere.

The layers of gesso are really starting to pile up on these guys.

Whenever it goes thus for too long, I put aside my painting, and play with assemblage instead.  Todd knows how much I love random found objects, and that's why he surprised me with the forks, which of course I loved, and put to good use:

These tiny silver forks are begging to become wearable art.

I'm a great believer in Serendipity, and this instance is no exception.  The fork is an excellent visual representation for being 'Done!' -and I've really enjoyed playing with this whole new form of take-out; I feel that it mirrors my own situation perfectly.  The time has come, it says, to clear your plate, so that you may be excused from the table.  Release what is no longer necessary, and make room for new adventures.

Time to take this show on the road!

I've really let myself enjoy the forks, and I'm happy to say they've worked their way into my acrylics, as well.

The time has come, to push back from the table and say "No more Jell-O for me, Ma!"

I was ready to let the forks carry me to the finish line in 2012.  What I wasn't prepared for, was the way other people would respond to the forks, and embrace the idea of being Done:

It seems I'm not the only one who's had a transformational year --I'm in good company, with folks who are ready to clean their plates and ask for dessert.  They are quitting old  jobs and finding new careers; they are finishing up college degrees or taking classes for the first time; they are putting aside old heartaches and beginning new relationships. 

They are saying 'Done' to the old, and making room for the new.  Just being in their company has been energizing.  I'm now feeling ready to tackle my studio full of half-finished paintings, and get some things Done, myself. 

It ended with a wall:

We gathered for one last shot in front of the yellow wall, on the corner of 19th and Eye, to say "Stick a fork in me; I'm DONE!" What are you done with, as 2012 begins to wind down?  What new adventures are you ready to make room for, in your life?

Finished at last!  'Holding Pattern' 2012 triptych, acrylic on canvas 12x14" x3

'Stick a fork in me, I'm done!'
Special thanks to: Todd Powers, Poet Bakersfield, David Karnowski, Lavinia Marigold, Zack Forker, Devin Riane, Sarah Purdy, Robin Jonesensteinowitz, Katie Campbell, Jesse Arenas, Lisa Klassen-Barnes and Brenden Barnes, Allyce Owens, Lisa Bell, Natalie Ray, Fortino Alvarez, Lucy Cruz, Tsunami McCorvey, Jessica Franco, Christinev Bayb, Baby Lilli, Tabitha Paige Bruner, Brenda Saucedo.