Goings On

We residents of San Luis Obispo often mutter about the lack of 'stuff to do' (well, I don't because I have a 3 year old and I suffer from the opposite affliction) BUT, in case you were starting to feel culturally starved, have I got some news for you! Okay, go get a pen, position it over your open hand, and write this down:

Thursday June 3rd
CRAFTINISTA's Summer Shop Local Event and Benefit
(see previous post for duh-tails)

Friday June 4th
A Reason To Live Lowbrow Art Exhibit
Coalition skate shop in SLO at 947 Monterey
6.30-9.30
featuring killer works by local, or formerly local, artists including CRAFTINISTA's resident graphic designer & hired muscle,
Joshua Jesse

Don't ever say I never did nothin' for ya!
xoxox

"Nevermind what's been selling, it's what you're buying." -Fugazi

CRAFTINISTA believes not only in promoting local designers, but also in doing good for our community. We like to mix our business with philanthropy because it feels right, and because we know that building strong supportive communities begins with us.
Please join us Thursday June 3rd at Picking Daisies in the Creamery downtown between 5-7.30 for our Spring/Summer buy local shopping event and benefit for the children's room at the Prado Day Center. Bring new art supplies to be donated to the children at the center and be entered to win a gift made with love by one of CRAFTINISTA's designers. We get really fired up about our events, and can't wait to see you all there!
And please, if you like what we're doing, spread the word!
*CRAFTINISTA endorses buying your art supplies at locally owned San Luis Art Supply. You will be pleasantly surprised.

Viva C.Bennett

when i first met c. bennett (cory anderson) he was at a cafe sporting a hoodie with an embroidered twin pop above the pocket. now, my father is an incredible embroiderer. in the 70s he had this green vest with a huge griffin sewn into it that i revered, it was groovy, to say the least, but i, on the other hand, could not sew myself out of a...what? a paper bag? a prom dress? a straight jacket? anyway, i digress, so, this mr. bennett tells me that the twin pop is in fact a pocket for an ipod. so, not only was this a mad brilliant use of DIY action, it was a hip display of a heartfelt symbol, too. that twin pop said to me that here was someone who saw the reward in sharing (after all, that was the point of those delicious chilled confections, no?), someone who saw himself as a part of something bigger, someone that loved humor and childhood all mixed up with practicality and whimsy. i liked that. so, without further ado, meet c.bennett, artist, designer, photographer, embroiderer and newest 'nista.

click on his photo to link to c.bennett's beautiful website.
( i never use the terms 'beautiful' and 'website' in the same sentence, so that actually means something)
*photo courtesy of c.bennett 'the saddest circle is a square' t-shirt by c.bennett.

Eggs, Art & Changing the World

You know that feeling, when everything happens at once, like you have been sitting on this egg for frigging ever, wondering if it is going to hatch or just hard boil? Well, a couple weeks ago, my, your loving Godfather's, egg hatched and out sprung an acceptance letter to Cal Poly's Master in Public Policy program 2010 and a gorgeously painted model named Alysia Hendry, who will now grace the cool exterior of a bottle of 1800 tequila as a part of their artist bottle series. ( I feel I can say the model was gorgeously painted without emanating too much obnoxious braggadocio, because when a collaborative work of art is so lovely, it almost feels ego free.) So, enough about me, life in general is getting exciting to say the least as the support local movement continues to grow here in SLO county. This Saturday March 20th, CRAFTINISTA is hosting an indie shopping event at Carve, the annual all women's surf contest in Cayucos starting at 11 am. I am also pleased to announce that Picking Daisies in the Creamery downtown will host CRAFTINISTA's Spring/Summer trunk show on Thursday June 3rd. Finally, for all of you localistas, I stumbled upon this cool local organization that deserves a big fat shout out for the local DIY community called Upcycle SLO, whose blog is filled with events and great tips. Also, if you haven't found Neal yet (you'll want to pet his beard, I am just warning you so you are not overtaken by the urge unawares), and his killer art store (dry those tears from the loss of Law's 'cause this little shop packs a punch!) check out San Luis Art Supply; run by a real artist, and a good one, too-plus, he can order anything you need, although his grasp of the basics from everything from brushes to silk screening materials is so scaled down functional, it will blow your mind. Plus, he also uses his shop like a gallery that features local artists. 1116 Morro, right next door to Baxter Moerman, the most incredible jewelry design studio and retail space in town featuring streamlined organic and classic pieces; a must look, and the Granada Bistro featuring a great little wine list, a decor straight out of 1960s Paris and serving up CRAFTINISTA's own, Amy Bakes Cupcakes. So, in a nutshell, as each day passes and I see more and more local good stuff coming to fruition. One of my heroines, Margaret Mead says it best; "Never doubt that a small group of concerned citizens can change the world. Indeed, it's the only thing that ever has."

*photo of model Alysia Hendry painted by April Worley by Richard Fusillo

Yet Another Rad Local Event

My Experience With Embodiment

When I showed up on thursday morning to paint my models for the Embodiment human canvas show that is being put on by Native Lounge in downtown SLO, I was not sure what to expect. I had formulated a few ideas after selecting my models at the casting call, but, as a painter, I knew that ideas can only really be treated as a starting point, because once you begin, anything can happen. Painting on human beings, of course, throws in another element of inspiration, and I was prepared to evolve with what came next. What I did not expect was the incredible exchange, for lack of a better term, of energy between myself and my models. Dragging paint across another human being with a soft brush, focusing intently on the desire to connect with another body by allowing myself to read the skin, the personality, the shape of muscle and bone to transcend the realm of static art into something completely and totally alive. The way the paint would dry on a hair or over a scar all became part of my adoration for my models. Each line, each color, completely chosen by my own interpretation of their being. I felt intense amounts of boundless love for my models, not jaded by words or judgements, but as two people, artist and muse, forming that instant bond that has shaped art and design from the very beginning. And being in a room full of all of this electric energy, the banter of the models, the deep focus of the artists, was totally electrifying. I felt a deep love for humanity that day; the pleasure of beauty, adornment, comraderie and complete freedom of expression. As an artist, I felt the freedom to move with color inspired by the moment, and I witnessed the models absorb all of the deeply felt creative juices of their artists and become more than human, they became beauty itself.

*click on native's link to find out about the next Embodiment Shows. Photo courtesy of Joshua Jesse. Model Josh painted by Peter Worley.

Fadanistas

I watched a documentary last night entitled Fado. It was a collection of performances done by Portuguese Fado singers or Fadanistas; Fado being Portuguese for destiny or fate. The songs were heartfelt and crooning; graceful trills emanated from deep inside the singers' bodies only to be released through mouths quivering with emotion. These Fadanistas, their eyes would be shut, their faces turned upward as though the only escape from their longing, their heartbreak, was to send this sound up into the ether to be consumed by the sky. The words used in these songs have no real direct translation into English, but convey messages of deep emotions; longing for homeland, jealousy, love, passion, revenge, and betrayal. I noticed 'fado' was used as a noun, a verb and an adjective. (Lila Downs sings of being more 'fado' than another woman competing for her man, and wins him back because she could sing fado, and that made her a real woman.) When the first singer used the term 'Fadanista', I immediately thought of Craftinista and the many definitions that surround our moniker. Craftinista is beyond what it initially implies: crafts for sale. Craftinista also translates to local economy, harmonizing with our community, support for local artists, demonstrating strength in numbers, rejection of poor working conditions, networking, taking an active role in our lives, bringing awareness to the money that we spend, creating beautiful things and sharing them with the people that surround us. We are a group of professional designers who run businesses, but together, we are not a business, we are an idea in action. We are our own sweet piece of the revolution.*

*revolution refers to a regime change; the change I refer to is the shift from over-dependence on 'box' stores back to a more balanced marketplace where locally made goods are able to compete for consumer dollars.

Chilly

It's getting cold outside. It's a California cold, which may be looked down upon by those residing in other parts of the country who enjoy braying on about how much they suffer during the winter, but I am of the 'all is relative' sort, so to those who can not handle a native Californian writing about the seasonal chill, feel free to go back to shoveling snow. For the rest of us, crying over our frozen succulents and the fact we can't ride our bikes in shorts every day of the year, have I got the thing for you! I call them leg warmers for your arms, Joshua shortened that to 'Larms', but, no matter what you call them, they are magical! You can type in them (as I am doing now, refer back to the 'relative cold' statement), you can arm wrestle in them, you can chase your 3 year old on a big wheel while riding a tricycle in them (yeah, i did that today, so I know!)....BUT better yet: you can wear them with a t-shirt and they look rad! They are for that gal or guy (yup, mine are multi-gender-al) who has everything who is not afraid to dress outside the box. Great for biking, driving, skating and beer drinking (man those pints are cold when sitting on the patio at the pub in the dead of California winter!) And, the best part is that they are hand crocheted with love by CRAFTINISTA's own Relished Ravin. It is like wearing love all over your arms, and who wouldn't want that?

*To buy yours, click on photo to link to Relished Ravin's online store

Purely Pacha, Welcome to Cosa Nostra

The first time I came into contact with Pacha, I was shopping in Paper Sky, my favorite card and gift shop in San Luis Obispo, and I came across a card for my mother for her birthday. It was waves of green obscuring a woman's face and within it's sublime collaged beauty was imbedded the words, 'stop making sense'. Aside from the Talking Heads reference that was perfect (our family loves David Byrne), Pacha had taken this simple statement and blended it in a lovely and feminine work of art that spoke volumes about the dualities of life, love and self. Her involvement in the Holonic Arts movement, that flaunts the mantra: This is an experiment. And you are part of it. was the second time I randomly ran into Pacha. I submitted a poem and a photo to one of the collaborative art events, and the outcome was incredible. To see so many local artists in one space (Cork Stop Studios) and more importantly, the splendor of the collaborative works, was stunning. The third time Pacha and I came together, I won her Starlight Necklace Kit raffle (apparently twice!), and due to the fact that I have not made jewelry since knotting friendship bracelets in junior high math class under the desk, it took me a while to put together, but once it was done, it was fascinating and lovely to see a celestial representation of the minute I was born in the form of a lovely beaded necklace. So, needless to say, CRAFTINISTA is thrilled to welcome Pacha into our ranks. (And lil' Matitie and Fred, too!)

*fake credit cards by Pacha. Click on images to link to her website.

Represent!

click HERE to learn more about SLOCDC

The Godfather on Bags

i have a friend, a man, who will not, for any reason reach into my bag. "gum?" he asks. "sure," i say, "get it, it's in my bag." he hesitates and then looks at me with short shakes of the head, and i remember that he does not venture into the personal land of 'the bag.' i have asked him why, years ago, why he would not, and he simply said that it just seemed weird. i imagine his large hand rifling around amongst tampons long sprung from their wrappers bearing their dusty white afros. or, the small granules of crackers, chips and who knows what else that finds its way under your fingernails when trolling the bottom of the bag for change. the chap stick that has escaped its tube like a true opportunist on the last hot day. a toy truck. a wallet crammed with more receipts than cash. a dozen notes floating freely creating an odd stream of consciousness haiku:

remember the mail
Lee Clark imprisoned, write him
cheese, tiolet paper

in my bag, is a land where my most schizoid self is free to collide with a small collection of personal items creating a place that some men may fear to tread. a place that is all mine.

to claim a fabulous bag for yourself, check out CRAFTINISTA designers:
Relished Ravin, hiphugger, The Peach & Fluffy Muffin
*Bicycle bag by Relished Ravin. Click on pic to shop her online store.

When it is Politically Correct to Laugh

A friend of mine posted some ads from the 40s-80s on facebook a while back, and i can't help but keep going back to them. Look at this one, for instance, advertising a new postage meter. The lovely redhead looks as though she is refusing to use it and the man is fraught with frustration because of her obvious stubborn stupidity. There is another woman at the copier who appears to be laughing at the scene, but it is the text that seems so alarming. 'Is it always illegal to KILL a woman?' the ad asks. My first reaction, truth be told, was a hushed, 'holy sh**'! I mean, how the heck did this thing not end up on the cutting room floor? But then I wondered, was this ad conceived during a time when making fun of the stupidity of women was commonplace and it was a cathartic joke to mention murdering a particularly stubborn female? I see men in shiny suits nudging each other saying, "Right?!" "If only!" and "Golly, isn't that the truth!". But, before I got my panties in wad, I reflected upon the same type of humor now days, only directed at men. I can't tell you how many mass emails I get from girlfriends that wittily unwind the stupidities and shortcomings of males, a few even refer to killing them, or imagining a world without them all together. What I see as one of the most prevelant stereotypes these days, is the ditzy dad. He is always ruining dinner, forgetting to pick up the kids or having inappropriate friends over that usually involves belching while the wife stands in the background rolling her eyes and making quips about husband's stupidity that he is too lame to get as the laugh track fades out. Is this ad gross, or does it just reflect another time saturated with other biases? Are men the new women? After all, "Is it always illegal to KILL a man?"