Should I Continue to Blog or Not?

I've been wondering if I should keep this blog up.  Now with all these other social media platforms, it feels a little redundant.  But, I also like it as a slice of my brain from time to time.  So here's at least one more entry.

The election.  I don't really want to talk about it, but to say that it has given me a renewed energy that is surprising.  An energy to create and express and share.  An energy to not procrastinate but to move and activate, engage with others and put my own doubts and despair aside.  I wonder how long this will last...

Here are a few photos of things I have been working on.   As usual, there are cards being made.

In September, I participated again in the Luna Park Chalk Festival.  This year's theme was inspired by our residency at Lotus Preschool.  I loved working with those kids, ages 3-5.  They are so open and lovely.  And funny!

I painted this the day after the election.  "Peace and Love Fish."  Swimming upstream together, against the tide.  I wanted to wash away the connotations of blue and red.  I love blue and red.

And the painting urge continued to make this Taiko Garden.  The night after the election, I had to go to the studio to play taiko.  I imagined how the founders of San Jose Taiko felt when they started the group, to do something.  To make something beautiful to express all these feelings.

We have to get to know each other better in order for things to happen, but you can't get to know me if I stay quiet.

TaikoCat and Friends at Luna Park Chalk Festival

Has it been a year already?

So much has happened in the last year.  Instagram and other social media.  I can't keep up.  Do people still read blogs?

I wanted to feature the koi for my chalk work this year at the Luna Park Chalk Art Festival.  It's related to another potential art project, but will have to talk about that one later.

TaikoCat, ChappaBunny and giant koi.

My assistant Syl is in charge of the water.

Finished 8x8 feet chalk art.  Lucky to be under a tree this year.

When energy comes around again, I want to post more about some artistic journeying.  But that will have to wait for another day.

Luna Park Chalk Art Festival

I've been wanting to participate in the Luna Park Chalk Art Festival for years, but somehow my taiko schedule never seemed to line up with it.  It did this year, hooray!

Years ago I used to help artist friends with their ginormous squares at the San Rafael Streetpainting Festival.  I learned a lot about working with chalk, while an audience watches you and the sun beating down on your back.  This was my first solo square.  I had always just been an assistant before.

I love that the festival promotes artistic diversity - professional artists and kids working side by side.  You can chat with the artists while they work and chalk swapping is highly encouraged.  I traded my dark blues for greens with the young girl drawing a TARDIS beside me.

After the festival, nature takes its course and the art fades away or is washed away by the rain. The impermanence of the art makes it even more special.

Thank you to the festival organizers for a wonderful event. 

Tottoro playing taiko initial sketches.

First step - put something down for people to look at.

I had some helpers who filled out the sky and grass.

The hira daiko trampoline idea came from someone who commented on my sketches on Facebook.

"Um, what happened...?"

"Um, how do we....?"

Streetpainting

The summer is in full swing! It's been busy already... In June, Arn, Spence and I participated in the San Rafael Streetpainting festival. This was my 6th festival. Two days of drawing in the hot sun. I love it. It is a great festival put on by Youth in Arts - it's all to raise money for kids to do art.

Click to see more pictures from this year and last year.