Click image to see her bigger. Alkonost || Tattoo design* for Claire This was incredibly fun to work on. Little-known fact: I drew another graphite Alkonost a few years ago for an unrealized project – it was never posted anywhere because… Well, it sucked. Having a second chance to explore the theme of one of my favorite Russian mythological creatures was pure redemption and delight – I actually want to draw more of these now, but have to work on …
Steven Daily’s mural at WWA gallery LA was fun this time around, surpassed only by the car ride, which included learning Slovenian and teaching Russian and singing Slavic folk songs in unison. The opening reception for Gag Me With a Toon 5 was filled with much-missed friends, some excellent surprise run-ins and model behavior from Micron, who peacefully snoozed in her carrier the entire night. I wore my most ridiculous leggings and space shoes and lots of eyeliner, while RedBull …
Here is a first look at Dendrophylax Lindenii – my lil’ 8×8″ violet graphite piece for Travis Louie’s “Zombie” group show, opening on May 25th at NYCs Last Rites gallery. Click the image to see it bigger. Having just finished an Aeon Flux tribute diptych for Gag Me With a Toon 5, I’d been on an Egon Schiele (one of Peter Chung’s bigger influences) kick. Those of you familiar with his work probably recognize the hint at the pose from one …
I’m busy with arts for upcoming group shows, one of which is Gag Me With a Toon 5 – opening in LA on May 4. You might remember my Cheburashka from last year’s GMWAT. Over on the east coast, Frei, our producer extraordinaire, has been hard at work on editing new featurettes for The Secret Guide to Alternative Beijing, some of which should be rolling out soon. Also soon: more photos from my recent Euro-trip and announcing another group show I’m part of, which …
Europe was lots of fun and Toledo is a place I hope to return to and get lost in for a few days; I’ve never in my life seen such magical light. And speaking of never – I will never post my Eurozoom 2013 photos if I feel obligated to write long accompanying posts – with two weeks to finish three pieces for group shows, well… Ain’t nobody got time for that. I know I owe this place and you …
Took my first trip back to Angel City last weekend for the opening reception of Chet Zar’s Conjoined 3. This annual group show has been an awe-inspiring congregation of talent from the start, but this year’s participants may have made Conjoined 3 its most impressive installment yet – the entire exhibition catalog is here. I spent about a month working on my piece for this exhibit, sculpting for the first time in over six years. My only experience until now had been …
In November, I was part of the Skulls exhibit at Kat Von D’s Wonderland gallery. Close to one hundred artists reinterpreted acrylic skulls we received in the mail. Mine is inspired by Russian lacquer art, my Alien Botany research and gilded grills everywhere. After painting one of my specimen in gold leaf paint on the skull, I collaborated with graffiti artist Seraphix on the script (thanks, Antoni!). A bunch of pictures were taken before I sent the finished skull off to Wonderland, but I haven’t had the …
My favorite memory of snow is from when I was about nine years old and staying at a mostly vacant resort a few hours outside of Moscow with my grandmother. It was the middle of winter. We’d spend our days red-cheeked, skiing through the surrounding forest, crunchy white powder bursting out of our way, snow-capped ferns towering everywhere. In the evenings, I’d skate on the frozen lake and we’d go for night walks between sprawling, virgin-white snowdrifts. They shimmered just …
Driving into the city. Deco building in Chinatown. The plaque on my old dorm; long ago, I took a comic book illustration class at the AA. Micron, staring down the ghost of the aged radiator. Cognac by the fire with my beautiful mother. French breakfast with Cameo at Boulette’s Larder. Pretty chairs at the De Young museum. We went to see the Nuriev exhibit. Driving to Half Moon Bay. My rubber boots make me invincible. Black sand. Japanese Tea Garden. …
It’s been over a month since my arrival in a Northern California autumn wonderland. What have I been doing besides taking pictures? Only a few things, and I intend to keep it that way. Alien Botany. Finished two more specimens for my drawings series, documenting details here as I went. So many more of them to capture. Building a three-dimensional model of Specimen 1. My first sculpting experience since way back in the day, when I carved human organs and faces …
Backyard documentation. Also, I’ve been sharing daily Instagram photos here, if you’re interested.
There is a change coming, and I felt I ought to let you know about it, if you’re still reading this. I say “still”, because over the past year, I’ve been writing here less and less, and I’m told inconsistency is how “readerships” decrease. But I have my reasons. One of them is the fact that I’ve been thinking about my voice here, and how important it is to reflect who I am as closely as possible. It’s difficult to do that …