New Paintings

Here are a couple of my newest paintings! Probably my favorite work I've done in a while.

Shows Shows Shows!

Super excited to have two shows in the works! The first one, VHS Nightmares, I am helping curate as a part of White Matter! As of last week, I also joined Splendor Device, and all female art collective. Both are opportunities I am pleased to be a part of. Attend these events if you can! I can guarantee they will be more than worth your time.

Cal State Fullerton Spring Show 2012

So in my final semester at Cal State University Fullerton, I was one of the students put in charge of setting up the annual student Spring show. It was my first time being in charge of a show that wasn't my own, so I learned a lot about the curatorial process, which was a great experience. Posted above are the pictures of my two pieces which were selected to be part of the show! I LOVE the placing they chose for the first one; right at the entrance of the show!

"I Don't Make That Face" Finished!

Finished product! I'm quite pleased with it.

Live Painting!

Last night, I painted live at the Rothick Art Haus in Anaheim with my artist friend Jennifer King! So much fun! Not to mention I was super productive, I guess having an audience encourages me to work really hard, I got so much painting done. I'll have to post the piece when I get a chance, I'm pretty proud of it especially when you consider that it was all done in just 4 hours. Now if only I could have this kind of motivation every day, I'd have a whole collection done in like a month!

Links!!!

Jennifer King's art fanpage

Rothick Art Haus 

Sketching ideas

Working on some sketches for things I'd like to print, and this is one of my favorites. The theme for the print show I'm going to be in is death, so I'm combining this with my usual focus on human communication and bonds. What can I say? I'm a pretty pessimistic person lately.

"I will always be angry, I will always be persistent, I will always seek to drag you down to my level."

The Trials of Printmaking

So yesterday I started printing for the first time! Super excited! My friend Jason Le helped me etch my first zinc plate, so here it is. Haven't tried too much actual printing with it yet, just did one test print. I'm just going to keep practicing until it turns out just right. I'm really enjoying the process thus far, so I'm looking forward to learning how to do more.

"I Don't Make That Face!" in the works

A painting of a friend I am currently working on. It's about 75% done, so I still have quite a bit to do, but most of the complicated things are done. Should be able to finish this by the end of the week if everything works out. I am super excited because this week I am also going to start learning how to make prints! I'll be sure to post my newest art exploration as soon as I can!

The Cynic

Since I haven't updated in a while, I thought I'd post one of my finished pieces from this semester. It's a portrait of my younger brother, hope you guys like it!

Art Show!

I'll be showing 9 pieces!

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"