Trying Something New

Keeping things new and exciting is always a challenge and I'm not just talking about my marriage (hee hee). As an artist I try challenging myself regularly, I figure there's always something to learn and I don't want to just settle into one thing and become a Thomas Kincaid type, cranking out the same crap day after day. (Note: His stuff is crap, not mine, but I guess that's a matter of opinion) Anyways, you gotta grow, change and part of that means trying new things in order to keep it fresh, peoples.

OK so I'm a painter, but I'm always experimenting with new materials, I'm a freak for inks, odd rubber stamps, fancy art markers and all kinds of art supply store goodies. I often work in clay, handbuilding sculpture and for my day job I make alot of handmade tiles for architectural projects. However, I've never been able to master the art of throwing pots. While in college many years ago I attempted this great feat and was a complete failure. Of course back in those days they were kick wheels, none of this silent electric wheel stuff, it was hard work. The fact is I never did get the hang of it, my pots all looked like some kinda rumpled tube top on the laundry room floor. Yes, this was the 80's.

Well so recently an old friend who is an amazing ceramicist opened a studio called Higher Fire and I decided to take a class. The owner Dan, is an amazing teacher and has been super patient with me. I'll admit I didn't take to it right away, but I'm starting to get it and and after sort of putting my own take on it, I actually like my pieces. I've been using letter stamps for some recessed phrasing and then when the clay is leather hard carving in some of my images. I then hand paint them with glazes and fire. Check out some of my first pieces and some still in progress.

Another new thing I recently tried was making mono-prints. A couple of weeks ago I also got the opportunity to take part in a workshop at The Institute of contemporary Art here in San Jose. I was sponsored by a member of the board there for this workshop where the idea was to take artist who work in other media, like painters, photographers, sculptors etc. and teach them to make prints. The teacher was Fanny Reznek, an accomplished printmaker, who was wonderful in teaching us the basic use of materials. Anyways, check out my results!

Upcoming Show!
This summer I'll be a featured artist in "Mischief" at Studio Gallery in San Francisco. Spend a day in the city and come see the show!

Mischief, characters, creatures & comics
July 13th - August 7th
opening reception: Sunday, July 17th, 2-6 pm
http://www.studiogallerysf.com

Read About Me!
Awesome outsider artists The Nally Boys, father and son duo Wm B. and David "Big Dutch" Nally have featured me on their blog, please check it out! They're both amazing artists from Pennsylvania.
http://thenallyboys.blogspot.com/

Like beer?
Exciting news...I've been commissioned to design a beer label for a local brewery, this red ale is supposed to come out soon and will be sold at BevMo. More on this later! I'm hoping to do an art show/beer party...sounds fun, huh?

As always, I'm always listing new stuff in my Etsy Store http://www.etsy.com/shop/murphymae, take a peek

There's also some new work including lots of affordable prints at Kaleid Gallery, if you find yourself in downtown SJ check it out http://www.kaleidgallery.com

Feel free to contact me with any questions, commissions, suggestions, you know, whatever, I always love hearing from you all!

Happy Summer!
Murph
www.murphyadams.net

2010 in a Nutshell: A so-so year in review

2010, what can I say...not my best year, but not my worst either.

Good things that happened: I had a successful solo show. I went whale watching in Mexico and got to touch whales, even a baby one! Both my kids graduated. My daughter got into the art college of her dreams. My son started high school and is still there. I (nervously) did an overhead presentation of drawings about my life. I made some rocking mosaics. I started teaching again. I'm still married, and better yet, I still really love my husband. I got 6 more chickens. I rode a horse for the first time after being afraid to my whole life. I'm healthy. I started baking (big time). I made some new friends. I drove by myself from Portland to San Jose (this is kind of a major one, I used to be afraid to drive in unknown territory and I don't really like cars). I'm still making art, everyday.

Bad things that happened: My dad passed away. I got a little bit fat. My daughter moved away to go to college. I got bi-focals. I started teaching again.

So the good outweighs the bad, mostly, except for the dad part. I hope they're right about the whatever doesn't kill you, business.

What I hope to accomplish in 2011: Overcome another fear (snakes, public restrooms, knitting?), make more clay art, learn again to throw pots, start my illustrated novel (really, its about love, revenge and PTSD), sell enough art so I don't have to teach much, get rid of my little bit of fatness, grow lots of things, smile more, be patient and don't fight with others, love, make creme brulee, sleep 8 hours a night, actually write my blog every now and then.

Upcoming Shows (more on this soon):

"The Bird Show "
January 8 - February 6
Cactus Gallery
4534 Eagle Rock Blvd.
Eagle Rock, CA 90041 - 323.256.6117

"Love Crazy"
Jan. 24th to Feb. 15th
Psycho Donuts in Campbell.
reception: Sat. Feb. 5th from 10AM to 3PM.

Image above: "I'll Rip Your Head Off (Bitch)" 2010

"SEE HERE" solo show at Kaleid Gallery Friday, June 4th

See Here, I have a show of new work coming to Kaleid Gallery on First Friday, June 4th. Included in the show will be loads of new paintings, some sculpture, a few of my "boyfriend " dolls and some really cool mosaic pieces that I'm really excited about! There will be live music and tasty vittles and of course me, please try and come by and say hi, I'll be there from 6-9pm.

In "See Here" I'm exploring the idea of telling someone off, letting them in on how you feel, letting your opinion be known, while at the same time saying "see, here, see inside my heart, feel what I'm feeling". My work is about emotion, its about what people think about but never say or about what you've said but wish you hadn't or about how actions speak more than words. Its a look both inside and outside your senses. My quirky, naive style is intentionally childlike, alphabet blocks spell out heart breaking messages and words packed with emotional heat are scrawled in brightly painted backgrounds. Our relationships with one another, and with the world around us are put under the microscope and seen through a simple eye, see here, it is what it is.

The opening also takes place during the SubZero Festival a DIY event of art, music and culture in Downtown San Jose. Please come see me first, then go enjoy the festival, it goes until midnight. I'll be there too!

www.subzerofestival.com

"See Here," continues through July 9th.

Hope to see you on

June 4th!

Kaleid Gallery

www.kaleidgallery.com

88 South 4th Street

San Jose, CA 95112

(408) 947-1785

Sketchbook Show at Kaleid Gallery

People often ask me, "Murphy, where do you get your ideas?". Basically, I'm a snoop, someone who justs quietly walks through the world making observations on the human condition. I've got many ways of collecting these observations. One, I'm pretty stealth with the camera phone, I often times take pictures of that unsuspecting person doing something ridiculous, or ridiculously cute. Like the time I saw this guy cramming a giant corndog in his mouth. Still one of my fav photos, I later did a much more complimentary rendition of a hot dog eater. Two, sometimes when I see something visually alluring I sketch these quick, almost stick figure renditions of my idea, sometimes on the backs of receipts or old envelopes I find in my purse. One day in a communal dressing room I caught this lady staring at herself in her giant granny panties with this horrified look on her face. I've been there lady, I know, no sexy panties for me anymore, those days are over. From this I created "Driving the Bus," a term my husband uses whenever I wear those oh so unflattering underwear.



Another way I gather information is by being a good eavesdropper; listening in on people's conversations is great fodder for subject matter. Whether its mothers talking about the horrible play-date they had to endure with their angelic child or hearing kids in carpool talk about their badly behaved parents, like "Oh no its Thursday night and mom's going to "Drunko" tonight, hope she's up in time to make my lunch tomorrow". Seriously priceless, I couldn't make half this stuff up.




You'll be able to see lots of my ideas which led to painting in the Sketchbook Show at Kaleid Gallery opening March 5th at 88 South 4th street between San Fernando and Santa Clara in downtown San Jose. I'll be at the reception on Friday from 7-9 if you'd like to stop by!

Gallery Hours:
Tuesday - Friday, Noon - 7pm
Saturday, Noon - 5pm

KALEID Gallery
88 South Fourth Street
Downtown San Jose
http://www.KALEIDgallery.com
408-947-1785

Tainted Love at Psycho Donuts - February 14

I Gave YOu My Heart

If Valentine's Day had an evil twin, it would have been conceived at Psycho Donuts! We have so much killer stuff going on, it'll be positively demented! Mark your calendar now for Sunday, Feb 14 - for TAINTED LOVE at Psycho Donuts! That's right - none of this stodgy, lovey-dovey, romantic, everyone's-in-love Day... our Valentine's Day is rooted not the real world, but in the surreal world!

Want a seriously memorable Valentine's Day? You gotta be at Psycho Donuts. Here's what's going wrong at Psycho Donuts on Feb 14, beginning at 10:00am:

Tainted Love Donuts. You've never seen donuts like these on Valentine's Day. Sure, we'll have some heart shaped donuts - but that's sooooo expected, right? Let's face it - any donut shop can make a heart-shaped donut, and they probably will. So let's get to the heart of the matter... Love takes work, and so does the creation of monstrosities like our "Aphrodisiac Donut," and "The Abstinance Holes." That's right, let your imagination wander... it's ok, The Department of Homeland Security has not implented thought monitoring yet.


Tainted Art. Not your typical love paintings - but original local works from artists who understand that love comes at a cost. Check out whack art from Christine Benjamin, Nic Caesar, Murphy Adams, Skip Crank, Sid Enck Jr., Michelle Waters, Lacey Bryant, Michael Foley, Sherwin Viray, Denice Vaughn, Tamiko Boiko, Carlos Villez,Keith Bowers and Deborah Barba! Let's admit it - real love encompasses psychotic pain - we are out to expose the truth this Valentines Day... channeling art as our medium. Purchase a piece of original art for your Psycho Valentine, starting as low as $35!
If I Could Only Sleep with My Cat



Tainted Songs. If you've not been to Psycho Donuts for Psycho Karaoke, you are missing out on some scarious loopy fun. Join us with our fearless Karaoke ringleader, Korkaraoke. Our standing offer applies - sing a song, get a free donut! Check out Batman singing karaoke last December, and Nurse Dylan killin' it this past weekend! Check out Psycho Karaoke, and you'll know why The Metro voted Psycho Donuts the Weirdest Place to see a Live Show (oh, and Best Donut Shop too...).

Show runs form Feb. 5th to March 14th, 2010
Store Hours:
Monday - Thursday 6am-5pm
Friday 6am-11pm
Saturday 7am-11pm
Sunday 7am-5pm

Psycho Donuts
2006 S. Winchester Blvd
Campbell, CA 9500
408-378-4540
http://www.psycho-donuts.com/

Looking forward to some Psycho times together on Valentine's Day!

Free Shipping on all Etsy purchases!

Hey there boys and girls...For the Holidays I'm joining lots of Etsy artists in offering free regular shipping until the Holidays. When searching on Etsy plug in etsyfreeshipping and check out all the wonderful artists and craftsmen who are giving you this opportunity during gift giving season!

See What all The Hub Bub's About at Psycho Donuts!

You may have read about Psycho Donuts in the newspaper or seen a story about them on the tv. Psycho Donuts is a small donut shop/art gallery who is getting some pretty controversial attention because of their name and the theme of their shop. Donuts have names such as Bipolar Disorder and Massive Head Trauma, there's a small padded cell where you can don a straight jacket and have your photo taken, and there's lots and lots of wild and crazy art. You see there are some in the mental health arena that feel that Psycho Donuts have gone a bit too far. As an occasional mental health patient myself, I feel that Psycho Donuts brings positive attention to the issue of mental health and through their efforts greater acceptance. Go check it out on Campbell Ave and Winchester in downtown Campbell. Take a peek at their blog at http://psychodonuts.blogspot.com/