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

Kaleid Gallery's Rockin' Stocking Holiday Show and Sale!

Please join me December 3rd for Kaleid Gallery's A Rockin' Stocking Holiday Show and Sale! I've been making all kinds of new paintings, mixed media on wood and even some weird Christmas ornaments for this event. It will be opening during December's First Friday with a reception from 7-9pm. I'll be there...come say hi and see what I've been up to!

KALEID Gallery
88 South 4th Street (between San Fernando & Santa Clara)
Downtown San Jose
www.KALEIDGallery.com

Illustration Friday: Transportation

I haven't participated in Illustration Friday in awhle, well actually I haven't participated in much lately. Anyways I chose this painting called "Escape" oner that I really like and my good friend Karyn & Eric Lammerding now have in their collection. There's something about being out on a bike, the feeling of freedom, the thought that you could pretty much go anywhere if you were up to it. A bike gives you the chance to escape to put distance between you and whatever it is you want to get away from.

Donuts and beer and zombies, oh my! New Zombie Art at Psycho Donuts Downtown SJ!

Hey kids, There's a new Psycho donuts opening in downtown San Jose where Camera 3 theatres is located. I've been channeling my inner killer/brain eater and creating some new zombie pieces for their upcomong show! It opens Thursday night September 16th from 6-9pm, come by and see me! Lots of fun haps...
Info follows!

It's True! Psychos infilitrating Downtown San Jose

Psycho Fans --

The corner of 2nd and San Carlos is a quiet, unassuming corner. But what might make a peaceful Downtown San Jose corner go crazy? We're giddy to announce the official launch of San Jose Psycho Donuts! You'll find the newest Psycho Donuts ("SJPD") under the same crazy roof as ComedySportz and Camera 3 Theaters. At the crossroads of San Jose State University, San Jose Convention Center, and the SOFA District - look for a demented pyramid of crazy donuts/drinks, comedy, and movies. It just may be the coolest combined attraction to infiltrate San Jose!

On Thursday September 16, join us for our official Psycho San Jose Launch Event - Donut Stop Laughing - from 6:00pm - 9:00pm. Get a sneak peek at our new store, try a free donut sample, see some live comedy sketches from our friends at ComedySportz, and more! Stay tuned to our Facebook Page for all the details.

SJPD Official Launch: Friday, September 17! Psycho Donuts will inflict San Jose customers with crazy donuts and light-hearted fun. Watch as we transform 2nd and San Carlos over the coming weeks, with the creative help of Avila Studios. Come visit us on opening weekend!

Here's what we're bringing to Downtown San Jose. Buckle in, because San Jose's gonna go wild!

CRAZY DONUTS AND ART!

...All the crazy Psycho Donuts you've come to know and lust after. Enjoy your donut on our new Psycho Patio. It's people-watching with a crazy donut in hand. What could be better? Donut be concerned about parking; because the SJPD parking garage is directly overhead! Spend $5 on crazy donuts and you'll walk out with a crooked smile and a parking validation in hand! It wouldn't be Psycho Donuts without crazy artwork for sale. Check out original artwork from local artists such as Christine Benjamin, Simon Salas, Murphy Adams, and many more. Padded Pfoto Cell? New and improved...

INSANE FULL SERVICE COFFEE HOUSE!

Seating for 30+ crazy customers inside and out - and serious coffee drinks, in conjunction with our good friends from Tony's Coffee. One Psycho latte coming right up! Would you like our Caffeinated or Placebo blend?! How about a Psycho Pstrawberry Psmoothie? Comin' right up! Just ask one of our Psycho Nurse Baristas!

DEMENTED AND FERMENTED BEER/WINE!

Scariously, have you ever seen a donut shop selling beer and wine? That's fermented! It may take us a few weeks to get the beer and wine flowing, but its coming, so save your thirst! Donut and wine pairing events? More beer-filled donuts? Believe it!

WHACK COMEDY FROM COMEDYSPORTZ!

Psycho Donuts is teaming up with ComedySportz, the Bay Area's Interactive, Improvised Comedy Experience. What could be better? Grab a donut from the Nurse on Duty, and get yourself tickets to the funniest and longest-running comedy show in the South Bay.

OFF-KILTER MOVIES FROM CAMERA 3!
Camera 3 has always been known for creative and discriminating films. That won't change. But let's just say that some of their upcoming film choices will be inspired by a certain cult donut shop now possessing (yes, we meant it that way) their theater lobby. Pick up some Psycho Popcorn from the Nurse on Duty and enjoy the show! Here are a few dates you'll want to remember:

• Saturday, September 18 and October 31 - Midnight. Rocky Horror Picture Show, with live cast, Barely Legal.
• Thursday, September 23, (Showtimes TBA). One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest
• Friday, September 24, (Showtimes TBA). Spike and Mike's Twisted Animation Festival
• Friday, October 1 (Showtimes TBA). Spike and Mike's New Generation Festival

Even with all the new fun at SJPD, our nurses at Psycho Donuts Campbell will always be there for you. We hope to see you at SJPD, beginning September 17, located at 288 S. 2nd Street, San Jose, CA 95113.

Posted by Chief Psycho at 11:42 AM

Richard M. Williams 1923-2010

One week ago today my dad died. He had been in the hospital for 2 1/2 weeks with a blood clot in what was left of one of his lungs. He had emphysema for many years and in the past 5 or so had been on oxygen and slowed down progressively until he could no longer walk a few steps without being out of breath. It was difficult to watch. My father had always been what you'd describe as robust, a big strong guy, a man's man who seemed capable of anything. "Was he a smoker?" everyone asks. Yes, but he had quit at age 42 when my youngest brother was born in 1965. Unfortunately, he had grown up with a smoking father, worked for many years in a smoke filled office...the damage was done. My mom called me and my older brother the day my dad passed, I'm grateful I was at his side when he left us. My dad was a good man, a truly kind man who gave us all a great life, he showed us love and support in everything we attempted. He always wanted to be an artist, he went to the Chicago Art Institute on the GI Bill after WWII to study what was then called commercial art. It was not in the cards for him, he left to make money first working selling Studebakers, then refridgerators, eventually becoming a union man, championing worker's rights for 28 years.

This Saturday my husband and I will be driving our oldest Ivy up to Oregon to PNCA, http://www.pnca.edu/ where she'll study illustration. I can't help but think she's finishing something my father had started more than 50 years ago. She found this old drawing in a drawer that my father did, he was always doodling, we all had to laugh, seeing the similarities that flow from each of us father to daughter to granddaughter.


On the top is a picture of my dad Richard Williams and my daughter Ivy about 15 years ago. I miss you Dad.

Shows Over Folks...

Well I had a good run at Kaleid Gallery and sold several pieces...whew-hoo(a combination of relieved and excited)! Thanks to everybody who came out to see the show...I really appreciate all the support and encouragement that comes my way!

I'm back to work, both at my day job and in the studio creating some new work, meanwhile getting my just turned 18 year old daughter off to college next month. Yes, I have produced another artist, she'll be off to PNCA in Portland to study illustration. She's just opened an etsy shop so if you'd like to support her endevors check it out...she's really good, and I'm not just saying that because she's my daughter!
http://www.etsy.com/shop/ivyatoms


Above is Phillip one in a series of Boyfriend Dolls I've been working on, he's very sweet. More to come.

"SEE HERE" solo show ...thanks all!

So the opening of my solo show "SEE HERE" went pretty well. Not a huge turnout due to the SubZero Festival (which was quite awesome btw) happening at the same time. Happily, several friends and collectors came out to support me and I sold quite a few pieces. Woo-hoo! Big thanks to everybody who made it, it was very cool to put together an entire body of work and put it out there. Everybody seemed to love my giant wood puppet whose arms and legs went up and down when you tugged on the string which dangled between her legs and the new clay and mosaic pieces which I am quite proud of. My boyfriend dolls were also a hit, with hottie emo boy Riley selling early in the night (Thanks Chris!) I made a few give-away wood block prints, (there may still be some at the gallery) and I did some serious baking for the event and was cleaned out, big thanks to you all for not allowing me to take leftovers home to eat them all by myself. The show runs until July 9th so please go check it out when you can, here's a bit about the show:

Murphy Adams: SEE HERE

In "See Here" I'm working with the idea of telling someone off, letting them in on how you feel, letting your opinion be known, while maybe what we’re really saying is "see, here, see inside my heart, feel what I'm feeling". My work is about emotion; it’s about what people think about but never say, about what you've said but wish you hadn't or about how actions speak more than words. It’s the process of what we feel inside and how it manifests itself in words and actions on the outside.

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 most simple eye, see here, this is who I am.