Last Saturday, I had the pleasure of attending the Los Angeles Art show at the LA Convention Center. To say the least, it was gigantic. Ever been to Ski Dazzle there? Replace all the snowboards with canvases and there you go.

That said, I was anxious. I love taking in the strokes and figuring out how something was painted, constructed, assembled, and so on. When I know there are hundreds more paintings to see, I start wondering how I’ll ever begin to remember everything I was looking at.

Example: I fell asleep in the Louvre. Completely exhausted from backpacking, I rushed through the entrance, elbowed some people (softly), saw the Mona Lisa, said what’s up, then immediately collapsed on the first ottoman I could find. (No offense, Louvre. You are amazing.)

I knew my inevitable slumber was going to hit sooner or later, so I bee lined wherever I could go. I could stand in front of a painting for half an hour studying it if I wanted to–I knew I had to be smart about this.

So there I was, scrutinizing a detailed oil piece, when I hear a woman say, “Of course I don’t want her in the picture! Wait for her to move. She’s been in front of it for 30 seconds already.” I think, “Wow, hold on to your loafers, lady.” I politely back up and realize this was probably going to happen a lot.

I look around and see a ‘No Photography’ sign. Damnit. Notes, I must take notes. I bust out my iPhone and start typing. Obviously that method didn’t last too long. Then I see a bunch of people snapping photos of this Michael Jackson piece and I become a little uneasy. Still,  I give in.

For the record, I’m not a huge fan of  taking photos in museums/art exhibits because they take away from the real enjoyment of art appreciation. There’s no better way to take art in than with your own two eyes, and it’s much better than storing great art as tiny images in your phone. But I knew that in this rush and plethora of people, it was already becoming evident that I was “getting in a lot of people’s way.” I didn’t take very many photos, but managed to capture some of the interesting things I saw–mostly oil paintings and installations, two art forms I love the most. Of course there were also many more pieces that could only be thoroughly enjoyed when seen in person.

Live art with Posca markers

One of many installations using everyday objects beneath plexiglass paintings.

Loved the lighting in this one.

Giant Crayola painting? Yes, please. Up close, you can see the fuzz coming off the paper wrappings.

Not sure what was going on here. Oh well, mashed up Scion.

Of course, a Banksy inspired piece.

Mixed media collage of old notes and writings to form a woman's face.

Woven negatives to create the entrance to the Vittorio Emanuele gallery in Milan.

Huge, well done oil painting. Yes, this is home.

I was exhausted. I hadn’t even visited the Fine Art Gallery yet and I started to feel “artistically overwhelmed” mostly because I couldn’t be in front of a piece for more than 15 seconds without someone behind me awkwardly waiting with an iPhone ready to fire away. I had an amazing time though for each of those 15 seconds. A friend I was with wandered around, and I went to the central seating area, plopped down, and took out my sketchbook.

I watched a bald man nod off with drool hanging out of his mouth. I watched another man with glasses (scribbled in the drawing below) take a picture of me because he knew I was sketching him. I saw a woman trying to peel her crying 6-year-old off the floor (no worries kid, I feel you). I saw a couple making out (why here?), a man hitting on a woman (so, you like art, huh?), a guy tripping over the crying kid. I overheard conversations of so and so’s favorite painting, how much Brenda spent on a new piece for her living room, and what people wondered these artists did for a day job so they could eat. Seeing/hearing all this was as enjoyable as looking at the art. When things slow down, you can really reflect.

A couple other artists came up to me and commented on how it was interesting that I was the only person in the entire Convention Center making art (or something like it) rather than looking at it. We exchanged business cards and shared our art interests.

“I’m a painter, but I serve at this restaurant downtown in the daytime.”

“I was an Art major, but I do web design in Santa Monica.”

“One day I’m going to be in this show.”

“Me too,” I said.

]]> http://www.karoleendesign.com/sketchbook/the-2012-los-angeles-art-show/feed/ 0 http://www.karoleendesign.com/sketchbook/drawings-from-my-travel-sketchbook/ http://www.karoleendesign.com/sketchbook/drawings-from-my-travel-sketchbook/#comments Sat, 14 Jan 2012 21:04:01 +0000 Karoleen http://www.karoleendesign.com/?p=1842 I recently stumbled upon my sketchbook that I took on my 2010 Europe/Egypt backpack trip. Recently, that trip has been surfacing as random train tickets and airline printouts, but luckily my sketchbook turned up.

The sketchbook I brought was from my amazing sister (a very talented architectural designer) who studied in Paris and Barcelona in 2009. It was a souvenir from Barcelona that can only be purchased in one store there (it can’t be found anywhere else in the world) and was the only sketchbook that the great Swiss architect, Le Corbusier, would use for his own drawings. I planned on drawing more, but when backpacking, you’re either exhausted, on a bumpy train ride so have no control, meeting too many great people or having too many great conversations. I did manage to scribble some things in our down time though, and although they are all unpolished, they help me remember many little details about the trip.

The first drawing is a half completed study of buildings lining a street in Washington D.C. where we had our layover. I was sitting in a den on the 4th floor (I think) of an apartment across the street. Everyone was asleep and for some reason, despite being on California time, I was up at 7am. It was refreshing to see a cold, crisp morning. (We don’t get much of that in the San Fernando Valley these days.) It was a pleasant stay with a pleasant view.

This is a view of cabins from our balcony in Interlaken, Switzerland. Nothing beats sitting on that balcony looking at the Swiss Alps with your feet propped up and a giant Swiss chocolate Easter bunny right next to you ready to be devoured. That’s all I really think about when I look at this drawing.

Just thought this was cute. A guy had flowers in Milan while he was waiting for his girlfriend (I assume) to arrive.

This is a very unfinished caricature I started with graphite on a train from Luxor to Cairo, Egypt. This, like all my drawings, are done from memory. Ever since I was younger, I challenged myself to look at something and study it visually and mentally, and try to recreate it with as much detail without reference. This method helps to expand your knowledge of your surroundings and how to create them from nothing, so you don’t feel stuck when you don’t have a model or photo to copy from.

Anyway, I drew this because my two traveling female friends and I were the only women on a bright train. We were surrounded by many Egyptian men who stared incessantly (out of curiosity mostly) and in a way, it was sort of uncomfortable. I needed something to do so I could force myself to sleep. The first thing that came to mind was a photo I took of a man sitting on a stone at Queen Hatshepsut’s temple. I never completed it because as planned, I knocked out.

Visiting Luxor and Cairo was completely eye-opening. It’s not often you see Asian American backpackers there I suppose so we attracted a lot of stares. I stared back. One of the most beautiful things were Muslim women whose faces were fully covered with their hijab, save for their eyes. Many wore layers of makeup as if to exaggerate the only physical feature they could expose. It was mysterious. My friends and I walked around in denim shorts and tank tops, but even a glare from a woman in Egypt could be as powerful as any spoken word. I used my one line scribble technique out of necessity – we rode a rickety old train from Athens to Thessaloniki, Greece and I couldn’t control my pen if my life depended on it.

Another long wait for a train. We made an impromptu detour to Krakow, Poland and arrived early but only had two hours to “see the city” before speed racing to Auschwitz. Two of us ventured out first while the other two either ate, drew or slept at the McDonald’s at the station. This is a drawing of Carrefour Convenience Store, while at said fast food restaurant.

Our turn to see Krakow. Years of war destroyed the city, leaving ruins of buildings that were never cleaned up. Despite this, many people rushed around the streets to get to work. Women were dressed up like it was NYC. I found this fascinating. This drawing is a cartoon of someone I saw crossing the street as we were wandering around. Behind her was a large mountain of rubble, but she was lavish with high heeled boots and a fashionable bomber jacket.

Lunchtime in Berlin. I was waiting for my curry wurst when I saw this man standing on a street corner waiting for the light. It was drizzling but he had his guitar out. Poor strings.

Threw this in for kicks. In our idle times, we would play a game I learned in high school when we didn’t pay attention in class. Someone starts a drawing by scribbling a line. Then we all take turns and build a drawing from that line until the paper is filled with objects that each share a side or element from another object. It’s amazing how much time flies during this game.

That’s about it! I still carry a sketchbook around as little details in my daily surroundings can have potentially great stories in my imagination. Helps for the practice, the inspiration and the memories. I’m glad because the non-traveler lifestyle isn’t as fast paced so there’s more time to create polished drawings, but looking back on my travel drawings reminds me how the moments in between grand moments still count, and you have to do what you can to make the most of it. To all the traveling artists: happy globetrotting, and happy art making.

Because I’ve been asked: this isn’t me. I don’t own hemp shoes. And I haven’t had abs like that since I played basketball in high school. That is my backpack, camera, bracelet, journal, tank top, ring and ripped jeans I bought in England in 2007 (for 40 pounds) though. (Expensive, but totally worth it because they still fit and I am determined to wear them to the last pent!) Holes are courtesy of the grip tape of my longboard, held inward to protect from the rain, and resulting in deteriorated denim. I credit all textures and that neat landscape photo to iStockphoto… thanks wonderful people of the Interwebs.

As for why I made this particular image: I’m reading Aleph by Paulo Coelho and he spends a lot of time on a train (The Trans-Siberian Railroad) in the story, which reminded me of my many train moments. (I think I’ll be doing many travel related pieces.) I threw my original drawing in Photoshop (see below) because I’ve been wanting to do an enlarged texture composite, so here it is.

Also, if you ever followed all this three years ago, you’d remember the birth of my sketchbook for this blog. I take requests still, but the purpose of it mainly is to step outside of design and go back to my art roots with these quick pieces and accompanying blurbs. It’s also a never ending experiment with drawing styles and digital painting that I hope will help me see how I evolve over the years. More drawings to come.

Art is good for the soul. So is traveling. Go do it.

A few people asked me recently about what it was like taking photos during my backpacking trip in 2010. Like many travelers, much of my response had something to do with not falling off a camel or getting robbed. On the subject of technique though, it got tricky. Most asked how I edited my photos, and what expensive camera they need to buy for their future trips. So I shared the first things I learned from my photography classes:

1. The camera doesn’t tell the story, you do.
2. Editing enhances a great photo’s aesthetics, not masks a bad photo’s flaws.

Then it kept going from there. Below I’ll share what I think is most important when it comes to taking great travel photos that makes the challenge of knowing your SLR that much more rewarding. Also on the note of editing, none of these photos were retouched. Photo retouching is a great art that’s beneficial when done well, but if you aim to “fix a photo later,” you’re already limiting your potential.

1. Your camera doesn’t do the work for you.

During my trip, I used a Canon Rebel XTi (400D) with a 28-135mm f3.5-5.6, and 50mm f1.8 lens. These pieces of equipment are far from professional, but they helped me accomplish what I set out to do. So, why’d I bring all that when I could have just brought a point-and-shoot camera?

Digital SLR cameras and the ability to interchange lenses allow you to take the most advantage of your environment. I needed a fast shutter speed so I’d get a clear image even while on a bumpy camel ride. Or a wide aperture to achieve nice bokeh in portrait shots. However, it’s not to say you need to have a dSLR to tell your story because in the end, the subject is the same no matter what camera is used to capture it.

Think of a scientific calculator that can perform any function you need it to–it’s completely pointless when you don’t know how to tackle the problem. A talented photography instructor I once had in college took a toy camera on a photo documentary trip and ended up creating some of the most amazing images. We could never make an excuse in that class that our cameras weren’t good enough.

2. Your subject has a story. Find it.

I often refer to the photos in newspapers before reading the article because they tell so much. When you take a photo, do you just want to capture the scene, or give people the opportunity to interpret a story? Oftentimes while traveling, you have one opportunity to get your shot right. It can take a split second and you better hope you have the right ISO/F-Stop/exposure/shutter speed combination once you hit that shutter button. The worst is when it’s all set according to plan, but the story doesn’t come through.

Kids hand in hand on an old rail at Auschwitz II concentration camp - Poland.

People watching outside a Bershka store in Milan, Italy.

A man selling wursts in Bern, Switzerland as we passed through to Milan.

3. Composition is key.

Great moments can be ruined by bad composition. Bad composition results in your viewer feeling uncomfortable and thinking that a photo is weak in some areas. A well composed photo should portray balance even when subjects aren’t centered.

Walking up to the Pyramid of Cheops - Giza, Egypt

People watching at Retiro Park - Madrid, Spain

4. Be aware of straight lines.

Angles are great for some photos, but not all. A photo taken at an angle when it shouldn’t can look like a mistake. Be aware of straight lines and use them to your advantage.

Inside a church in Vienna, Austria.

Old electrical fences at Auschwitz II - Poland

5. When angles are GOOD.

In reference to the previous tip, angles can still be great for photos when applied well. Use angles because you want to add drama to a photo, not because you want to fit your subject in the frame (if your subject doesn’t fit, step back and recompose your shot). You’ll find that this could be really useful for architecture, but could also be fun for taking in the scene.

Church in Berlin, Germany

Our rental bikes as we sat by a lake - Amsterdam, Netherlands

6. Get low.

Taking photos from a low vantage point is another way for your viewers to engage in your image. It’s natural to take photos from a higher vantage point as we hold the cameras up to our eyes and stand in front of the scene. However, you should find ways to capture your subject in interesting ways. Kneel. Lie down. Set your camera on a platform. Your environment isn’t going to move around for your camera, you need to move around your environment.

Watching kids try to catch bubbles at Retiro Park - Madrid, Spain

Took this while lying on the ground of the Holocaust Memorial - Berlin, Germany

Camera set on an identical platform as the one they're sitting on - Krakow, Poland

7. Get up close.

I’m a sucker for detail. Really show your viewer what you were looking at when you ate that pastry, or sat next to that duck at the lake. Zoom in, or move up close and be sure to keep your hands steady so your photos can be as sharp as possible. Just like the previous tip, set your camera on a surface. If there isn’t one, get down on your elbows and use them as a tripod.

Pasteis de Belem for the best pastries in Lisbon, Portugal.

8. Don’t center your subject all the time.

Earlier I showed you a photo of the inside of a church that was symmetrical, and centered. In many cases, this can make for an appealing photo, but there are times that centering your subject isn’t the best option. The 1/3 rule is a good rule of thumb when photographing your subject, and oftentimes this refers to people. If you think centering your subject is a great idea, try setting them off to the side and see if that works better instead.

Wurst break - Vienna, Austria

Having lunch in Ireland's first pub, the Brazen Head est. 1198 - Dublin, Ireland

9. Take advantage of perspective.

Sometimes photos aren’t going to be of people, or of landscapes, but of distance and perspective. They’re less tangible subjects but when captured well, the result can be really interesting. What do you see when you look up, or look ahead?

My favorite structure in Western Europe - Barcelona, Spain

Beautiful walk under the streetlamps of Lisbon, Portugal.

10. Finally, use your light, whether there’s a lot or a little of it.

Back lighting is annoying, but can also produce beautiful silhouettes. Depending on your aim, this could be a good thing. If there’s no way to get around harsh sunsets, take advantage of them by positioning yourself so that the light creates a silhouette. Also, use available lighting to capture detail in your subject.

Top of Brandenburg Gate - Berlin, Germany

Night walk while eating gelato - Milan, Italy

In conclusion…

Everyone’s got their own opinion about what makes a photo successful. Personally, I aim to take shots that allow the viewer to feel like they’re there with me, and if I’m able to conjure that emotion up in someone then I know I did what I wanted to do. If you’re unsure about how to take a photo think about what it’ll take to bring your viewer in. Make your photos your own. Once you master how to envision your shots, then you can focus on all the technical settings of your camera in the field–and that’s another story. (To see my favorite shots from my trip, click here.)

I recently designed and launched a new website for indie clothing brand, Royal Trash Wear. Royal Trash focuses on creating statements and expressions on their shirts, an approach that is opposite to the replicated logos trend many other lines are making famous. Each shirt is unique, and is a product of a writer’s creative vision. Check them out: royaltrashwear.com.

Chelsey, an amazing designer from Texas who is now kicking ass in Manhattan, has my painting of her and I in front of our Banksy sighting in Bristol, UK. It was 2007. Our housemates and I took a weekend trip somewhere that wasn’t London (been there, done that) or Brighton (too close to school) or Cambridge (castles and knights). We chose Bristol–saw some art, ran around looking for Banksy and hung out in little British bookshops. Also, just in case you can’t tell, there isn’t a body in that black box… it’s a sitar.

Renee, a talented and inspirational teacher, has my painting hung in her kitchen in East Harlem. It was 2006. I remember hopping on my bike to get to her dorm with a canvas under my arm, my paint box hanging from one handlebar, and a jar of turpenoid in my hoodie pocket. Renee is one of the most powerful, outspoken Filipinas I know, so I was inspired to paint this image of a little girl at a town meeting for one of my classes at UCSB.

Two years later when we graduated, I gave it as a gift before she embarked on her big New York adventure. And here it is now as we prepared dinner, clinking our glasses to our careers, loves, lives and memories of our college days.

No matter where, no matter when, great memories like these never die.

It’s been a long few weeks squeezing a redesign in between my studio job and freelance projects, but here it is and I hope you enjoy it! So, what can you expect from this new site?

• There’s a new direct link to the Inked Kicks order form while the site is still in the works. If you don’t know what Inked Kicks is, it’s my personal custom canvas shoe design art project that launched in 2009. Basically, you tell me what crazy idea you have to put on Vans or TOMS shoes, and I paint it for you. Simple. Display them, wear them, sell them for more money, you know… the usual things people do with shoes. View the Apparel gallery images here, or the Facebook gallery here, and order a pair here.
• Soon there will be a Store up where you can purchase my art printed on various products from iPhone cases to t-shirts, and you can also order prints too. So keep an eye out for that as well.
• My Sketchbook section is going to be updated even more. I can’t tell you how many napkins, sketchbooks, and scraps of paper I have lying around that I’ve scrawled drawings on. It’s going to be exciting.
• What about graphic design, you ask? Yes, first and foremost this site is a showcase of my branding, web and print design work. I’ll keep it updated with my latest projects and hopefully that can all be an inspiration to you!
• Also, since you’re all here, connect with me on LinkedIn, follow me on Twitter, subscribe to my RSS feed, and over on the right sidebar, sign up for my Newsletter. I’ll keep you updated on my new products, artwork, and events.
• Most importantly, there’s not a single bit of Flash on this site. FINALLY. Don’t ask me why it took so long, just bookmark me on your iPhones/iPads!

It’s been a long, tough few months, but art trumps all. I’m glad to be back.

The site itself is a simple HTML, CSS and JS markup that, in retrospect, is a process I haven’t used in a while. It’s nice to know that the basics still get the job done well. Like a previous project, this site also utilizes Vimeo’s awesome mobile capabilities so kudos to them for making that happen this year.

The project was a nice opportunity to do something more artistic than usual, and combine art with design. The front illustration is a film-making cornucopia on wheels and the inner pages include a composition of Ilya’s doodles – appropriate for a look into the inner workings of his mind. Enjoy his videos and be sure to keep an eye out for him over the years.

Check out their work! I’m sure you’ve come across a piece or two that they’ve done. And fyi, all their work is viewable on your favorite smartphone thanks to Vimeo’s mobile capabilities so you check them out while you’re on the go. Enjoy.

After going through a few old photos, I stumbled upon the Aloe Blacc event I attended at the Amoeba music on Sunset Blvd last November. If you don’t know who Aloe Blacc is, you’ve been asleep. Smooth yet funky, modest yet opinionated, this talented man has been sharing his musical genius the last few years, and has been gaining even more popularity with his single “I Need a Dollar” as the opening track for the HBO series, How to Make it in America (you must add that to your lists of shows to follow if you haven’t already).

Pick up his two albums, Shine Through and Good Things. You’d say his music is like something you’ve heard before, possibly in your grandpapa’s basement or while passing by a shop window all the while not being able to pinpoint where and when your mind is transported. But after a while, you won’t care, because it’s all fresh. Your ears will just be happy. I’d list and describe my favorite tracks, but that would be a long topic for another conversation.

Whenever visiting Amoeba, I like to look around for artistic inspiration. With so many CDs and illustrations around, it’s hard not to come by something interesting.

Dug this “pencil illustration on lunch bag” look.

Thought this was funny. I have no idea who this musician is, but I started designing a tattoo for a client based off of that piece of art, which is based off an original. You never quite know what you might run into.

Sound check.

CD stores are diminishing, but I’m thankful the ones that do exist are still strong. Nothing can replace the feeling of flipping through discs and records, the dust, and the feeling of discovery.

The man himself. Seriously fly shirt.

The world needs more music like his.