self portrait project

Self-portrait currently in progress for one of my Special Studies classes. The face is a bit to wide, I'll have to slim it down when I get back to the studio tomorrow. Otherwise, I'm happy with the amount of work I completed today.

I Just Can't See it Anymore

Newest painting! Still in the early stages of it, so it's going to change a lot in the next few days.

The concept behind this work is losing sight of what you are working for. People get so swept up in what they are striving for, that sometimes they forget the main reason they are trying to achieve a goal; HAPPINESS. Too often I find people want something so badly, they forget to enjoy the process or their achievements. We're all ultimately working toward building a happier life, so why not be happy now?

Perils Of Sight

Almost done. Went back and changed the hair after I took this picture. The Shoulder is bothering me, I can't seem to get it right. Need to let this painting sit for a while

New Series Begun!

For most of this current semester, I've been smashing my head into the metaphorical wall that has kept me from creating. Big time artist's block. So, I took some time off to think about things and what kind of messages I wanted to portray in my work. The rave portraits were fun, but it's time to return to my roots; the examination of human interaction. But, instead of focusing on how humans interact with one another, my new goal is to comment on how we interact with ourselves.

This new series focuses on trauma. Individuals have immense strength to survive horrible ordeals. But what happens after we have survived? We cannot possibly return to the person we once were, and whether or not this is a good thing is definitely debatable. With focus and optimism, can we overcome anything? Or, is there such thing as a person who never stood a chance?

Jen Takeda Solo Art Exhibition!!!!

I will be having my second solo exhibition at CSUF! Friday September 23 will be the opening party, which will run from 6-10. Liked the Human Conglomerate show? This one promises to be bigger and better!

More detials found at the link below;


Facebook Event!

Stay tuned people!

I have some exciting news coming up! Can't say exactly what it is, but come August, you shall all see :D

Winner!

So this last Saturday, I showed two pieces at Loft Beats in Pomona for the 2nd Anniversary Erns Choice Award Show. And Guess what? I WON! Best portrait of a female! Here's a picture of me next to my winning entry, which I posted here a while ago.

Art Show

I will be showing here along with a few of my artist friends, Billy Roberts and Chelsea Burdick! Please come have an awesome time at the Pomona Art Walk and support our art!

Stencils!

"Savannah My Cats" multiplied!
First "Savannah my Cats"
"Jen Takeda IS a Ninja" Very first stencil ever!

Went to Art In the Streets at MOCA and was really inspired to start doing some stencils! Here's my first two!

Sketches

A pair of quick sketches I did at the beginning of the semester.

"I feel no pity for the rancid tears you cry"

Eat It Ren (ALMOST DONE)

ALMOST DONE HERE! Only low quality/unfinished images until September, all the more reason to go to my show!

Eat it, REN!

One of the paintings I am currently working on for my solo exhibition in September! Most of the pieces will be kept secret until then, NO finished pieces will be posted until after the show! However, I will be showing you all my progress just so you know I'm still alive and painting. This show shall be bigger and better than anything I have done so far, so get ready to see some awesome works!

Angry Broccoli

Self-portrait for life painting class. Wore my big afro wig to make it a bit more fun. Not perfect, but I really like the way it turned out, especially since it was done in about 5-6 hours

Thinking

It's not knowing or being ignorant that kills you, it's being stuck between the two which leads to your mind running wild. That'll do you in for sure.

You're In For A World Of Hurt

"I love my cat. I love it so much, all I want to do is hold it, cuddle it, and smother it with my unconditional love. My cat is prefect, it is smart, and beautiful, and most importantly, my cat is MINE. I love my cat so much, therefore my cat must love me equally as much...."

*face is then ripped to shreds by the claws of that cat who loves you so fucking much*

Lesson to the Story; You can't force a cat to love you. It comes to you when it wants you and leaves once it has gotten what it wanted. Smothering it with love and affection will get you nowhere, and all you will have to show for trying is a face-full of scars that may never fade away.

p.s. if you read all this and still think it's a painting about a cat, all i can say is you really have to pay more attention.

It Was Never Yours To Begin With

It resonates so strong, but why do I care?

You can't have something that was never really there.

If your fingers can't grasp it, was it real?

You can't hold something that you can't even feel.

Why hurt, why wreck, why destroy and maim?

You can't abandon something that wasn't your claim.

Shout all you want, insecure feelings you'll hide.

You can't affect me, I was never on your side.

As you lied to me, I lied to you.

I'm the one you trusted, but never really knew.

The Things We Left Behind

"So Where's the Picket Fence?"

"Protect Thyself"

The main idea behind this series is that of unnecessary protection. Unfortunately, we all get hurt, physically and mentally. These wounds are hard to recover from at times, and there are some from which we can never fully heal. Because these experiences are so painful, we tell ourselves we will never let it happen again, as we are terrified of ever feeling this terrible for a second time. So, what do we do? We shut ourselves off from the world. Yes, we save ourselves from pain, but we also deny ourselves from real happiness. To me, this isolation is worse than suffering, it is at times when we are vulnerable that we are capable of finding what really gives us joy, even if it puts one at risk of being hurt.

Animus

This is what we do