Showcasing up and coming talents, RAW Natural Born Artists is on a mission to keep your community connected to local, independent artists in all creative disciplines.  So what exactly is RAW Natural Born Artists? I’m glad you asked. It is a collective movement started by Southern California’s own Heidi Luerra. The RAW team assembles and promotes artists through their online community as well as through their monthly events.  Their site features artists’ profiles, making it easier for you to get to know them and what they do.  Hosting four cites which currently include Los Angeles, Fullerton, Santa Monica, and Long Beach, RAW is able to freely promote Southern Californian artists to a waiting audience.

As a platform for up and coming visual artists, fashion designers, musicians, comedians, filmmakers, etc. RAW’s event nights make discovering new art and fresh talent more accessible to the public. RAW recently hosted a showcase at the Cherch Lounge in Fullerton. A veritable smorgasbord of creativity, the event highlighted standup comedian/magician Justin Rivera, music by Octavius Womack, fashions by Metevo Clothing, hair by Melissa McFadden, makeup by Yvette Mendoza, and the musical styling’s of DJ Martin Vidal. A pop-up gallery was on display with art from Kaleeka Bond, Patricia Cory, Shannon LeClair, and Raymond DeLuna. A short film by Luke Randall was screened for the audience to kick off the night’s events.  The festive occasion was an exciting experience and a fun way to discover something a little out of the ordinary.

When attending their showcase nights, you are exposed to great performances and art while also getting a chance to mingle and network with fellow art connoisseurs. Helping link artists to the public and professionals, RAW ultimately supplies the foundation for future harmonious collaborations. The team’s positive vibe is key to their message of “connecting independent artists with the tools, resources, and exposure to inspire and incubate creativity, productivity, and success.” The tools that RAW provides to their group of artists are given through workshops that coach them on the business side of their given industry.

Not only does RAW work to broaden your cultural horizon, but they are also good for you. And when I say “good for you,” I mean that they help out that planet you live on called Earth. By being completely green, RAW goes as far as making donations to the Carbon Fund to cancel the emissions of the cars that travel to their events. They also do the majority of their promotion via the web and texting. Only when paper is an essential marketing tool do they use only 100% recycled paper.  RAW also facilitates artists with giving back to the community by connecting them with charitable organizations. These simple contributions make a world of difference in the long run and make it a win-win situation for all parties involved in their movement.

Now that you know about RAW Natural Born Artists be sure to check their site and make your way out to one their showcase nights. Artists can also submit applications to become a part of the RAW team. To learn more visit www.rawartists.org.  Eco-friendly sensibilities and accessible art are what sets this organization apart from the rest. Looks like it’s time for you to go RAW.

Photos taken by Hiro Landazuri

Fashion illustrator and graphic artist Aileen Holmes can be best described as a “Jill of all trades.” Having an entrepreneurial spirit, Holmes has a wide array of talents ranging from jewelry design to painting. Her whimsical illustrations are easily recognizable as her own. With her feminine aesthetic, Aileen tells us how fashion, vintage patterns, and living in Orange County have inspired her work.

Alisha Domoslai: When and how did you become interested in art and illustration?

Aileen Holmes: I’ve always been interested.  I’ve been artistically inclined from a young age; constantly drawing pictures of the perfect dress, the perfect birthday cake, the perfect house.  I was addicted to the library:  checking out books on how to make books, origami, and make all sorts of random things.  I sewed my own Barbie clothes and later on made my own ‘zine in high school called “Inanimate Object.”  Today I basically do the grown-up version of all the art projects of my youth, except now it pays the rent.

AD: Where do you draw your inspiration from?

AH: Old things fascinate me.  I love going to estate sales to investigate people’s antique treasures and imagine what their lives were like.  There’s always a story – vintage is very voyeuristic!   I’m especially fond of the fashion, ads and advice columns of teen mags from the ‘60s.  I also collect wrapping paper from the ‘60s and ‘70s and vintage fashion from all eras.  I’m especially in love with fashion—it’s a major subject of my art.

AD: I read on your blog that you were working for Mattel, every little girl’s dream, how was that experience?

AH: Yes!  I was lucky enough to work in the Barbie Consumer Products Division as a Senior Designer.  As I mentioned before, I made my own Barbie clothing as a kid to being immersed in Barbie’s rich history was very captivating.  My job was to work on the style guide for licensees and help design graphics, textile prints, product CADs (mostly accessories like jewelry, handbags, socks, shoes, etc), and I also worked on special projects like developing signature product for the Barbie Shanghai store.  I got to work with very passionate, talented people and that was the most fun part of the job.

AD: You dabble in a quite a few mediums (painting, graphic design, drawing, jewelry making, etc.) What is your favorite form of expression?

AH: Drawing is by far my most favorite form of expression—and I do often incorporate illustration into everything I do pretty much.  Actually, a goal of mine is to narrow my focus on more illustration and to broaden its delivery.  My plan is to try out editorial illustration, stationery, and illustrating for books.

AD: How would you describe your design aesthetic?

AH: I’d say it’s very feminine with a bit of sassiness.  I tend to draw lots of flourishes with an organic but heavy line.  Definitely bold and colorful!  There’s a sexy confidence to all my female characters and, of course, fierce and quirky fashion.

AD: Tell us about your Etsy store: what kind of items you sell, etc.

AH: My Etsy store Tangyfruitgirl just launched in November.  It’s new!  So far, I am selling my cute and girly t-shirts, holiday greeting cards, and print reproductions of my colorful artwork.  I have plans to expand and diversify my product line.   To get the scoop on what’s coming up, folks c

an sign up for my newsletter.  Whoever signs up will be mailed a free 2010 Calendar Postcard!  (http://www.aileenholmes.com)

AD: If you could collaborate with any designer/artist on a project who would it be and why?

AH: I’d LOVE to collaborate with Betsey Johnson, Anna Sui, or Mary Quant.  They share my feminine vintage love and are known for their boldness.  As far as more accessible fashion, Free People is my all-time favorite line.  Most of what’s in my closet is by Free People!  I’d love to incorporate my artwork into their apparel.  As far as other collaborations, I’d love to work with the stationery line Paperchase, work with Urban Outfitters on their home goods, and generally have my art on everyday goods for every day people to enjoy.

AD: What is the most important thing you have learned about promoting your work?

AH: I always try to be friendly and helpful to everyone I meet.  Your friends are your best advocates!  We share information and promote each other; promotion is very important – people won’t know you exist unless you put yourself out there!

AD: How has living in Orange County influenced your work?

AH: I was born and raised in the OC.  I’d say that the music scene influenced me greatly.  I was exposed to indie music via KUCI 88.9fm in high school and am eternally grateful for how it shaped my tastes.  Also, I’ve been frequenting the LAB in Costa Mesa from its inception and shows at The ARTery often.  OC is home to many creative and friendly people with entrepreneurial spirits.  From the apparel companies to video game companies, there are many creative companies out there doing great work!

AD: On your site you list your monthly goals, what do you hope to accomplish in the new year?

AH: I’ve been so prolific with the creative side of my business this past year that next year I will focus on the left-brain aspects of business.  I’ve always been interested in licensing so I will investigate that.  Also, as I mentioned before, I want to focus on illustration and diversify.  I’d love to do editorial illustrations for local mags like OC Weekly or go national with magazines like Seventeen, BUST, Venus or art mags like Beautiful/Decay.  Also, next year, I’d love to interact directly with my fans and consumers by participating in local craft shows like Patchwork or the Handmade Brigade of Orange County.  I have many more projects in the works—but they will be a surprise!

Curator/Director Stephen Crout from the ARTery gallery at the lab  in Costa Mesa has put together a diverse show of four local artists from Orange County, Lindsay Buchman, Jon Ginnaty, Jeff Alu and Mark Cummings entitled Explorations OC: An Art Scene Subjectively. The first piece upon the back entrance is Jon Ginnaty’s installation which he quoted  the piece as  “all I need is my flip flops, a hammock, and a blender for my margarita”, this statement marks the work true to its core. As one enters the gallery from the right, the installation is set up in its own corner. The space is approximately 12 by 10 ft is composed of three colors; a terra cotta orange, white, and beige. There is a large hammock occupying the center, a small round table to its left with a terracotta built blender, margarita glass, bottle of tequila and a shot glass. Upon the wall there is a life guard triptych, 24 by 12 inch terra cotta slabs placed next to each other with engraved/sculpted life guard towers in the left corners and a pair of sandals, seemingly Rainbows to the right of the hammock.

The installation can be viewed as though you are taking a sneak peak into a space waiting to be lived in and enjoyed almost like a model home. The space untouchable, the objects of practical function mere décor. Places the viewer, the person in gallery as the customer, on seeker where the only real function of any object would be the hammock, thus the most practical piece of purchase. Ginnaty builds up the setting while enabling the viewer to input their own ideas upon it. Thus by purchasing the hammock you are acquiring the vision of the space that could be lived in as provided by the artist, hence bringing the artistic vision into its reality.

When speaking to the artist, a calm, happy Californian he said he “likes to see his works come to life through the different ways people see themselves in the space”. Which is when I suggested he should work in Hollywood sets, he agreed, considering something good to look into. As I left the installation a soft breeze came into the gallery doors gently swaying the hammock giving the scene a more tranquil and serene atmosphere, it is truly a work about life a midst simple pleasures. Very reminiscent of life here in Southern California.

Mark Cummings occupied a great deal of space with his series of oil paintings. His works hold a very seemingly studied and structured technique, reminiscent of the renaissance and baroque masters such as Rembrandt. His works show hardly any visibility of brushstroke as exemplified in his still lifes: Red Red Wine, Evening devotion and Lovely green. His artworks are evocative of glaze painting, in which the work is painted first in a grayscale, then translucent pigments are used with oil which enable the tones to come through from the grayscale, and create a very smooth yet toned finish. The extremity of softened edges upon the folds of the drapes blurring the edges give the paintings a more studied air. Cummings also painted a series of nude female figures, peaceful afternoon, tranquility, the bather and little surfer girl. In little surfer girl the figures huddled position with her arms gently about her knees, almost gives her a sense of movement in the calm space. She sits a top a blue cloth above a red surfboard, on a cliff set against a background of aqua and grey blues in the sky. The drapery in the work is as though a mere semblance suggestion of what once covered her, like a Roman toga in its classic in its motif/suggestion. The artist describes himself as a classic realist drawn to traditional painting. Trained in Florence, Italy taught in the nineteenth century French Academic methods. Cummings will have his work in the National Portrait Gallery in the nations capital beginning August 2010.

Lindsay Buchman a young and talented artist works in printmaking; combined intaglio, relief and monoprint.  She uses old world technique to express an urban motif. She claims “Within my work there is a combination of both expressive and representational imagery, depicting emotions of the past, present, and future. Currently, I have been exploring my fascination with metropolitan life, which has become the focal point for my latest impressions.” In her piece City Ruins, (etching with monotype) she shows the flatiron building in New York as though a stamped print, with the expanded dictionary definition of city in the right hand corner giving length to its Latin derivation. Up on either side there are orange/brown curved shapes, which look intentional and planned by the artist. This tint to the work give it an antiqued look resembling an early 1nineteenth century newspaper, simultaneous to when the flat iron building was built, while at the same time because tinted shapes were planned gives the piece a modern edge, and a different interpretation.  Buchman’s piece  Sound (monoprint) places the perspective of the view at the bottom of a tall building, as though standing beneath the Eifel tower and looking up. The top and bottom of the vertical piece are covered in a lime green, thus placing further emphasis

upon the center which exposes the building and miscellaneous written font in its background. Buchman’s works hold unique perspectives and unparalleled visions. Her works are composed of three main elements, color, type print, and the print of the image, together she takes these features and creates works of art reflecting an urban atmosphere.

Photographer, Jeff Alu’s work resembles those of early photographer Alfred Stieglitz. His photographs were taken of simple subjects and compositions however depending upon the perspective were open to numerous interpretations of what was being represented. Alu claims “When I am out searching, I never have a set idea of what it is I’m looking for. I simply seek, occasionally finding exactly what it is I WASN’T seeking. For me, that’s the time I learn something new about life: When I discover a new path, a new way of seeing, a new reason for continuing my search”. The foreground, background and middle ground are all established foundations to Alu’s works. Occasionally the foreground and the background  would be blurred while the middle ground clear, from a distance the image required concentration to perceive what was actually being presented. In this way Alu’s photographs play with the perspective of the eye and the mind. His work causes one to step back, re-think, read the title, come close, and then walk away fascinated learned, yet still in ponderence.

All four artists Jon Ginnaty, Jeff Alu, and Mark Cummings brought their own visions and mediums to this exhibit. Curator/Director Stephen Crout made a documentary series  on the following artists which will air on PBS early next year. To get a sneak peak check out the posted episodes on the galleries website: http://www.coopgalleries.org/. To receive more information about the individual artists refer to their websites Lindsay Buchman: www.linsdaybuchman.com, Jon Ginnaty, www.jonginnaty.com, Jeff Alu:www.animalu.com, Mark Cummings: www.mcoriginals.com The exhibition will be up until Sunday, December 6^th so check it out this weekend!

Lamia Larkin: Please tell us more about yourself, your background, education and what you do as an artist.

Cheri Wilson: I am lucky enough to be the Director of Sponsorship Development for the Newport Beach Film Festival but my formal training is in graphic design. After watching a tutorial on YouTube I tried needle felting which I’ve found to be perfect for expressing my creative side.

LL: Do you consider yourself an artist? If so what do you think classifies you as a real artist.

CW: I do consider myself an artist now, but only after peers and fellow artists encouraged me to think of myself as one.  My pieces are one of a kind, and take over a month to complete. I put a lot of dedication and detail in them, and hope that that shows through in their personalities.

LL: How long have you been creating art?

CW: Since I was in junior high. I had an art teacher who taught us how to make rugs with burlap and a special punch needle. I was really pleased by the outcome and this sparked my interest in fiber arts.

LL: Where do you get your daily inspiration from?

CW: I have always been a little on the eccentric side and gravitated toward the underdogs of society. I’m inspired by those who are a little seedy, a little needy, the unloved and the lonely. I like to create characters that someone will look at and feel an emotional connection to.

LL: Who are your biggest influences?

CW: My grandmother who kept me busy with arts and crafts as a child. My mom who is a talented writer and never gives up. Christy Kane; a most brilliant doll maker, filmmaker, and overall entrepreneur. Darren Caulkins and Kerry Judd of Paris to the Moon in Costa Mesa who have given me encouragement by being delighted with everything thing I do.

LL: Who is your target audience?

CW: Myself. If I have to please other people it takes the fun out of creating for me. Often times my pieces are not appropriate for more main stream art shows. At first this hurt my feelings and I tried to make characters that were a little less creepy, but that took the fun out of the process and only made me frustrated.  When I let go of that way of thinking and got back to letting the process guide me; I became ultimately happier, and I think my work reflects that.

LL: How would you describe your art to people?

CW: I don’t know if I have figured that out yet. There are times when I refer to them as dolls and other times a soft sculptures. Most of them turn out to be slightly odd, tragic characters with a whimsical twist!

LL: Do you see your artwork changing styles or subjects in the future?

CW: My work changes in style from one piece to the next. I never have something in mind when I begin a new piece. When I first started felting, my pieces were very loose and crude. Now that I have more confidence and experience, my work is a little more detailed and refined.

LL: What is a typical day of work look like for you?

CW: I made a promise to myself to just do a little bit every day. More often than not, once I sit down and start working the day is gone before I know it. I start with floral wire and make an armature for the body and then begin adding the felt to build the torso, legs and arms. The head and face always come last.

LL: What are your favorite tools of the trade?

CW: A rainbow of wool roving, which is raw carded wool. A sharp barbed needle and a large piece of foam are my main tools.  The needles come in various sizes and serve to adhere the wool in different ways.  I relate the needles to paint brushes, in that, different sizes produce different results.

LL: What is the biggest piece of advice you would give to an artist that’s just starting out?

CW: Do what you love, create for yourself. Be aggressive if you want people to see your work. There is an art show or gallery somewhere that your work will be perfect for. Also try not to become emotionally attached to your artwork,  It makes it very difficult to put a price on your emotions.

LL: Finally, where can we see your work?

CW: MySpace – www.myspace.com/76843113
Facebook – Cheri Macoubrie Wilson www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=1579482969

At the end of May,  Hibbleton hosted the unveiling of three new zines titled Hibbleton Independent, Dash, and Lexicon Polaroid. The event was held at Violet Hour; a warehouse located on West Santa Fe in downtown Fullerton. The entire event was extremely fun and extremely random. The random part is mainly related to the decor that came with the warehouse. Objects such as giant glowing rabbit heads and oddly displayed mannequins are at the top of the list, but before the decor is explained, lets focus on the magazines themselves.

The main magazine of the night, the Hibbleton Independent, is the most diverse of the three; containing everything from interviews and short stories, to comics. Its main focus is mainly on previous art shows that the gallery has held, as well as interviews with the artists. Similar to Hibbleton’s magazine is Dash, which is the official Literary Journal of Cal State University Fullerton and contains everything from short stories and poetry to art. The final literary creation presented was Lexicon Polaroid. Created by local poet Mike Harper (who performed at the event), this magazine contains mainly poetry and art. The artwork for this magazine goes beyond the inside pages to the binding, which was done by hand with thread.  It’s easy to see that a great amount of time and effort was put into all three zines. The bonus is that each magazine contains enough of its own creativity to keep readers interested.

Though these three magazines were the main focus of the night, the festivities that went with it were just as intriguing. Included were a few performances from local bands such as AUDACITY, The Waltz, and Light Music. Each band performed wonderfully, the only complication was the screen behind them. Playing behind every performer that night was the film Dead Man, which was placed on repeat and silenced. Though the rugged and old west style of the film went very well with the style of music performed; it was hard to focus on who was playing. Given the chance to focus on the band or watch Johnny Depp on the screen, it seemed to be Johnny Depp that won.

Along with music was some spoken poetry.  Steven Westbook and Mike Harper performed. The good thing about Harper’s performance was that the people who enjoyed it had the option of purchasing Lexicon Polaroid which he created. Out of the two, Steven Westbook stood out the most. His contemporary and humorous poems were obviously enjoyed. So much in fact that most could not keep a straight face. One thing has to be said about his performance, and this is advice for Hibbleton gallery; could you please have an art show based around Steven Westbook?  It is pretty safe to say that it would be truly fantastic.

With the magazines, music, poetry, and Johnny Depp covered, the only thing left to mention is the space itself. Violet Hour is actually a warehouse-like studio that owners Michael and Candace Magoski rent out for major events. Its a strange venue that calls to mind everything from old abandon homes to Andy Warhol’s Factory. When you first walk in you will notice a highly decorated golf cart, with a giant pink rabbit head resting on top with glowing green eyes. Across from it is a worn out pink velvet couch that faces a pull down projection screen. When the screen is rolled up a back room is revealed that has multiple intense high fashion-like black and white photographs (created by Michal and Candace) as well as strangely decorated mannequins popping out of large pots. At night this place is quite creepy. Having never seen it in the daylight, its hard to imagine it any other way. But it cannot go unnoticed that this unique (and slightly scary) atmosphere helped to create an interesting and successful night. Had this event been anywhere else, the feel and views of the performers would have been different. Even the presentation of the magazines just would not have been the same. This unconventional space made the night what it was. So congrats to Hibbleton Independent, Dash, and Lexicon Polaroid, your unveiling and magazines all were (and are) a success.

Memorial Day is coming up, and while you may be planning to stay home and rest with friends and family, some of us are putting on art events that question the very nature of art and how it functions. Why so deep for a Monday you ask? Well there are just some people in Orange County that cannot and will not rest till they let you know that choosing based off of looks can be a gamble, and when you say “I’ll have what he’s having!” you could be getting more than what you expected.

Getting more than one expects can be a good thing, like this one day art show located in Fullerton. For one day only, a group of up and coming local Orange County artists will put on an art show that will definitely be some food for thought, using just about every just about every form of medium; painting, sculpture, chalk art, film, the list goes on.

This show is titled I’ll Have What He’s Having, and when asked what the show (and title) were about Witte stated that, “The show is called ‘I’ll Have What He’s Having‘ basically because people need to realize that art and the artistic spirit feed off of things. So, if people see it as a possibility to lead their life, they may be more inclined toward a life of a similar approach. Basically by recognizing that we are just everyday people doing everyday activities and choosing to live off the feeling instead of the food it puts on the table forces the viewer to understand the subsistence of an individual on something outside the ‘normal’ ‘base’ needs. And if it tastes good then why not do it for yourself?” Deep words coming from an art show in the OC, but I guess this is just more proof that this county is more than the TV makes it seem.

The artists responsible for this fun-filled (and deep) event are mainly students from Fullerton College; Michael Witte, the leader (and owner of the apartment at which the art show is located) says that, “The one day show is something that should give people a reason to not wait for things to come to them, but to give them a reason to see it now, because there is no telling what tomorrow will bring.” Hopefully tomorrow will bring recognition that these young artists deserve, and that this unconventional, short term, impromptu art show deserves as well.

If you have some free time, I’ll Have What He’s Having will be going on from 3-9PM. Have a great weekend and we hope to see all of you there!

The Artist showing are Michael Witte, Maria Robben, Drea Wise, Jonathan Dominguez, Nathan Marlow, and many more including myself. There will also be a film screening by Smash & Grab Productions.

Runs Monday the 25th from 3-9PM only

Apartment B
346 East Wilshire Ave.
Fullerton CA 92832

It’s no secret that Hibbleton art show openings are exciting and eventful. I’ve done a few reviews regarding the quality of art and space that is Hibbleton Gallery. But this current show went beyond the normal wine and crackers. Personal Kingdoms had a very active opening. Active because they had audience participation that involved “Best Handshake” “Chubby Bunny” and a “Dance Off.” It’s not often that you get to go to an art show where you, the viewer, are supposed to create. But with this opening, guest were able to show off their own creativity and get rewarded.

Getting rewarded at an art show isn’t a common thing, especially in these economic times, when money is tight and not everyone can spend like they used to. Art shows are just not the same. But artist Jesse Chapo is trying to make it so that anyone (with a little creativity) can have an original piece of his art. That’s why at the opening of his solo show Personal Kingdoms, there were mini competitions where the viewers could go home that night with a personal, one of a kind, signed work of art, at no cost.

Jesse Chapo is an artist on the rise. His work has been shown and published all over the world. For this show, he created a world of unique looking characters; focusing mainly on kings, crowns, and jewels to explore ideas that have to do with personal isolation/selfishness versus community.

One of the most rewarding parts of Chapo’s works is his ability to use a variety of media, creating paintings and drawings on driftwood, paper and circular wood. The driftwood pieces were probably the most interesting visually.  The contrast of bright Crayola colors on the worn out wood was a pleasantly surprising balance that worked quite well with Chapo’s theme of relationships.

Both the artwork based around relationships and encouragement of the viewers at the opening to interact with one another via playful competition made for a successful opening… One I hope will perpetuate a new trend.

Hibbleton Gallery says that Chapo’s work manages to “‘Utilize a playful menagerie of characters” and that his work “looks closely at personal identity, social interactions and the interrelations of the two. The awkwardness of strangers in tight areas, the constant bickering and fighting that occurs between families and lovers and the unease we often have with our appearance and visual identities are a few of the ideas he explores in this exhibit.”

Exploring relationships is not a new topic for artists, but being in Orange County where image seems to be everything, and how you present yourself is who you are, this show brings to light the importance and results of those types of relationships. Chapo even mused; “How you visually present yourself affects your interactions with others.” His visual presentation was a happy bright colorful collection of interaction. One that you will regret if you do not go and see.

Personal Kingdoms will be up at Hibbleton till June 7.   For hours and more information please visit their website hibbleton.com.

You may have read recently about the fascinating new archaeological discoveries in Egypt: Cleopatra’s tomb, a new cache of mummies in the Valley of the Kings, ancient gold jewelry in Luxor. Equally wondrous findings, however, are being carried on every day, not in the sands of ancient Egypt but in the dusty storage bins of museums around the world: ancient papyrus documents that record the words and deeds of millenia ago.

The ancient Egyptians wrote in hieroglyphs, pictographic representations of the sounds of their language. It is these hieroglyphs which bring us back to Orange County. Saturday, May 16, the Orange County Chapter of the American Research Center in Egypt (ARCE-OC) will present for the first time a workshop on the Language and Culture of Hieroglyphs at the Heritage Park Library in Irvine. The workshop will be presented by Dr. Elizabeth Waraksa, whose impressive credentials include a Ph.D. in Near Eastern Studies (Egyptian Art and Archaeology) from Johns Hopkins University, a fellowship at UCLA’s Young Research Library for a Web portal of resources relating to the ancient Near East and Egypt. She is also assisting with collection development, providing reference and instruction, and together with the Digital Library Program, working on the all-digital UCLA Encyclopedia of Egyptology.

OCAC spoke with Robin Young, President of ARCE-Orange County Chapter, about the Chapter and also with Dr. Waraksa about the upcoming workshop.

William Dean (WD): Robin, can you give us a little background about ARCE in Orange County? Is there a lot of enthusiasm and support for ancient Egyptian studies in our area?

Robin Young (RY): ARCE OC is the largest of 12 regional chapters of the American Research Center in Egypt, based in Cairo and San Antonio, Texas. Our membership covers six Southern California counties, and we are proud to number quite a few Egyptologists among our membership.

Our chapter was founded in 2002, and over the years has hosted many big names in Egyptology, notably Dr. Zahi Hawass and Dr. Mark Lehner. Every month, we offer a free lecture, normally at the Norma Kershaw Auditorium at the Bowers Museum in Santa Ana, one of our partners. Many of our speakers are featured in specials on the Discovery and National Geographic channels on TV. Between one to two hundred persons attend each month. Our mailing list numbers about 1100 persons with a wide demographic spread.

Roughly twice a year we host special seminars, classes or visits to museums accompanied by an Egyptologist. Our hieroglyphs class on May 16 is being held at the Heritage Park Library in Irvine because we can set up tables so the students have plenty of room to draw the figures of the hieroglyphs. On December 5, at the Bowers, we are offering a seminar by two of the foremost Eighteenth Dynasty experts, Drs. Donald and Susan Redford, Interpreting Amarna, the Reign of the Heretic Pharaoh Akhenaten.

In January of 2010, the chapter is operating a tour to Egypt, with emphasis on visiting special archaeological sites not normally open to the public.

Membership in ARCE supports excavation and preservation of Egyptian antiquities.

There is huge interest in Southern California for Ancient Egypt. Several million people attended the King Tut exhibit in Los Angeles a few years back, and the Bowers enjoyed record attendance with the British Museum show which closed in early 2008. Ancient Egypt remains part of the curriculum in California schools, and many people continue that interest throughout their adult lives.

WD: Dr. Waraksa, it seems that interest in the culture of ancient Egypt is constantly being “re-born” through various means, including new archaeological finds as well as popular culture such as movies and documentaries.. What are some of the challenges presented to “keeping it real” and dispelling some of the myths and inaccuracies portrayed by “Hollywood”?

Dr. Elizabeth Waraksa (EW): You are absolutely right that all of the new archaeological finds reported in the news keep interest in ancient Egypt running high; the news coverage is also a useful reminder that only a fraction of what remains from ancient times has been uncovered. Popular culture definitely adds to the high level of interest. For Egyptologists, all of this coverage is largely boon, because it opens up opportunities to talk and teach about ancient Egypt to folks who have already encountered aspects of the culture online, in the paper, on television, or in the movies. As you say, it can sometimes be challenging to counter popular opinion – I often have to assure people that scarab beetles are not flesh-eating bugs after all! – but most often I regard inquiries about ancient Egypt as opportunities not only to correct a mis-stated or exaggerated fact, but to direct interested folks to a more nuanced – and sometimes, more interesting! – understanding of the culture.

WD: What are some of the most fascinating and surprising things still being learned about Egyptian hieroglyphs?

EW: Some of the most fascinating recent discoveries have been “lost” beginnings to well know texts written on papyri. For example, in 2003 Richard B. Parkinson of the British Museum published the previously unknown beginning of a piece of ancient Egyptian literature known as “The Dispute Between a Man and His Ba.” Many museum and other Egyptian collections still contain a significant number of as-yet untranslated texts, so there will no doubt be more discoveries to come.

WD: When you present a workshop such as this, how do you — briefly — connect the culture of ancient Egypt with the pictographic writings? Are they strongly linked?

EW: It is absolutely crucial when teaching the Egyptian language to discuss exactly what the glyphs represent, because each sign is intimately related to the Egyptian worldview. Among the most common hieroglyphs are everything from a simple house plan to parts of the human body to the flora and fauna of the country – not to mention all of the signs associated with water, constant reminders of the Egyptians’ dependence on the annual flooding of the Nile. The signs used to write the Egyptian language are taken straight from daily, as well as religious, life in ancient Egypt, and I think that one of the most engaging parts of the language for beginners is learning to recognize and distinguish between the glyphs.

WD: Do you recommend attendees “brush up” on their studies or is the workshop directed toward both aficionados and the general public?

EW: This is the first time I am offering this workshop for the ARCE-OC group, and it is open to both ARCE-OC members and members of the public. No prior knowledge of the language is necessary, although I know that many people will have either taken formal courses, or performed some self-study, before taking the class, so deep is their interest in ancient Egypt. I always look forward to introducing newcomers to this fascinating – if sometimes daunting! – language.

WD: How did you initially select this area of study yourself? What inspired you to become an expert in Egyptian hieroglyphs and what are some of the personal rewards you’ve gained from such studies?

EW: I became interested in Egyptology all the way back in seventh grade, when my Social Studies class completed a unit on the ancient world and I learned about the pyramids at Giza and Howard Carter’s discovery of King Tut’s tomb. From that moment on, I was hooked. For the rest of middle school and throughout high school, I wrote as many ancient Egypt-themed essays as I could – for example, in an essay for my high school Latin class, I compared Cleopatra and Livia. I also specifically researched colleges that offered a major in archaeology. Most fortunately, I was accepted to the Johns Hopkins University in Baltimore for college, and then for graduate school. I believe that I held onto that initial feeling of wonder and curiosity throughout my studies, which made them thoroughly enjoyable.

During my doctoral studies at Johns Hopkins, I was fortunate enough to be able to teach the year-long course, Introduction to Middle Egyptian (hieroglyphs) for five years. My students were both undergraduates and fellow graduate students, and I enjoyed every minute. Especially rewarding were the days when, after some weeks of study, my students and I would visit a local museum so that they could apply their newly-acquired language skills by reading Egyptian texts inscribed on actual monuments. Also personally rewarding for me during graduate school was the opportunity to excavate at the Temple of Mut, part of the Karnak temple complex in Luxor, with the Johns Hopkins Expedition. Not only was it a daily thrill to be excavating at a temple precinct, but my dissertation project on ceramic female figurines also sprung from that experience, which made me all the more dedicated to my topic.

By the way, if your readers would like to learn more about the ongoing Johns Hopkins Expedition to the Temple of Mut, they can visit the online dig diary, Hopkins in Egypt Today, at http://www.jhu.edu/egypttoday.

The workshop will be held at the Heritage Park Library, from 1:00 PM to 5:00 PM, on May 16. Contact the ARCE-OC at their website: http://www.arce.org/chapters/orangecounty/events/u89 for more information.

1.  Phonetic guide to hieroglyphs
2.  Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs carved in stone
3.  Dr. Elizabeth Waraksa surveys an archaeological dig in Egypt (Photo courtesy of John Hopkins University)

The Orange County Museum of Art is known for their exciting exhibitions of historical and contemporary art, but recently they have teamed up with Target to bring to the public something even better. The second Sunday of very month for this past year has been free, yes thats right FREE. Thanks to a sponsorship from Target (everyones favorite store) The Orange County Museum of Art has and is able to give to the people of Orange County a fun and educational experience that is cost effective.

During these tough economical times its nice to be able to do things that don’t cost a lot, and now you and your family can come to the art museum for free. But you won’t just look at art, you will be able to become a part of it by creating your own!

Interactive guided tours, performances from prestigious theaters and art groups, arts project tables where kids have the opportunity to create artwork that relates to the current exhibition… these are just some of the fun things that you and your family will be able to do.

The next Target Free Second Sunday happens to be this Sunday, and both Target and The Orange County Museum of Art have a fun filled day planned. All of this Sundays events are based off of Mother’s Day and the current exhibition titled Illumination: The Paintings Of Georgia O’keeffe, Agnes Pelton, Agnes Martin, And Florence Miller Pierce, a series of beautiful watercolor like paintings. This Target Free Second Sunday is also held in conjunction with the annual Orange County Imagination Celebration. Which is a great opportunity for children to be recognized for their artists talent!

Listed below is a list of the fun types of activities that will be available this Sunday!

Free Family Portraits: Make sure to sign up for these free family portraits and create a memory that lasts!

Keepsake Photo Frames: Decorate and design your own keepsake photo frame. Pick up your free family portrait to showcase your special day with Mom!

Sun Hats: Personalize your own hat and have fun in the sun with style!

Festive Flower Pot:  Pot your own colorful flower and embellish it with style. Add your name and other fun stickers!

Watercolor Wonders: Explore unique forms from nature creating colorful and abstract flowers. Use special watercolor crayons and paint inspired by artwork from the Illumination exhibition.

In addition to all of these fun art projects there will be a performance and workshop done by Backhausdance; which is sure to be really exciting!

This is sure to be a really great day Mother’s Day, so if you have some free time come and check it out, if you can’t this month there is always next month! I will be there this Sunday helping out with the art projects so I hope to see you there all there!

This event runs from 11AM-4PM Sunday May 10, and every second Sunday at the same time.

For more information on The Orange County Museum of Art please visit their website here www.ocma.net

Photos courtesy of The Orange County Museum of Art

This past Saturday was the opening reception for the current art show Be Original, be Fabulous at The Artery. A group of teenagers from The Webb school have presented to the public an installation that is both fresh and exciting, as well as very impressive for such a young group. The fact that these teens chose to do an Installation shows there interest and experience in the arts goes far beyond your basic classroom still life drawing. These teens studied contemporary artists and artworks, and it shows in this exhibition.

The school that these teens come from is The Webb School, which is a Liberal Arts based boarding school located in Claremont California, and based on their website and their mission statement, it seems extremely impressive. But the most impressive part is the teens themselves. Teenagers aren’t known for their conversational skills; but these kids had no issues with coming up and introducing themselves and talking about their artwork, a skill that most adult artists don’t even have. And while the students were proud of what they had created, their faculty was even more proud.

One of the teachers Jesse Strandlea, feels that, “When you are doing an installation piece it forces you to look at space differently and to envision different possible solutions for that space.”  These teens took a unique space (a gallery made out of shipping containers) and managed to turn it into this colorful web of materials and symbols. One of the artists Bailey Stockdale, who mainly worked on these sculptures that consisted of glazed clay like bowls wrapped around and suspended by tons of wire. Stockdale repeatedly mentioned how the students worked off of each other by using the same or similar materials in each of their components for the installation. Its obvious that teamwork is a major part of this exhibition, working together and learning how an installation works can be a very difficult task. But these kids were given just enough guidance and freedom to create a space that goes beyond the classroom art.

Strandlea, said that, “I think the exposure to the different kinds of art the students have seen this semester in a way justifies or gives the students permission to work in a non-traditional or experimental way where the students are taking chances and express a very rich array of emotions.”

One student in particular took a chance when she decided to do a performance piece for the show. The performance piece was done by Emma Bobrova, where she turned herself into literally a “paper doll.” Bobrova constructed a dress and bow made entirely out of white paper. She wore this and walked around the gallery mimicking peoples movements, sort of like a mime. When asked what was her inspiration was she smiled and simply replied “toys” and carried on with her performance. Her piece was both cute and comical; this image of a young woman portraying herself as a living doll walking around called to mind much larger issues, making this whole show that much more advanced.

Mark Nelson is the Fine Arts Department Chair and he had nothing but praises for all of the students hard work in not only creating their own works of art as well as their willingness and excitement on working together. The individual and group choices that were made for this show, shows a group of young artists eager to do something bigger than what is expected from the typical age demographic. These students are artists in their own rite and have managed to, in a unique space, put on a show that proves their creative capabilities as young adults.

Ultimately, if you are in the Costa Mesa area this weekend, make a point to visit The Artery and see this exhibition. The creativity that these teens have should not go unnoticed. So congratulations to you all, I look forward to seeing what you come up with in the future!

Be Original, be Fabulous is up till May 10th with a reception May 9th 7-9 PM

THE ARTERY GALLERY @ THE LAB
2930 Bristol St, Costa Mesa, CA
Located Behind Urban Outfitters

Artist List:
Emma Bobrova, Nathan Brady, Kasey Chen, Ashlie Chhean, Devon Doherty,
Tiffany Fan, Rebecca Lai, Lauren Firth, Jasmine Kaleka, Tyler Madrid,
Nicolette Roger, Jack Sanders, Elena Scott-Kakures, Reni Somoye, Jesse Standlea,
Emily Stewart, Bailey Stockdale, Allen Xing

Photography by Lamia Larkin