Subterfuge Studios Project: Episode 2: Poet Bakersfield

Subterfuge Studios Project is a blog series aimed at providing a glimpse into the studios and spirits of an eclectic mix of local artists. Whether they be painters, writers, musicians, performers, designers, or crafters, each artist featured in SSP has agreed to share his or her personal space with you, the reader. All bio and interview questions are answered in the artist's own words. 

In this second installment of SSP, the impish and enigmatic Poet Bakersfield invites us into his garage-studio, and shares some insights about art and life.

Name/moniker:  

Poet… AKA Poet. ; )

Medium:   

Spray paint and acrylics on a variety of surfaces ranging from canvas to sheet metal.

Studio name (if any): 

The world is my studio. 

Neighborhood: 

Central downtown area.

Studio dimensions: 

This is a hard question for me to answer. The studio that I work in is an unfinished garage with an exposed ceiling… it’s probably about 25 x 25 but it also has some of my sporting equipment and tools in it as well. When you are a street artist the world sort of becomes your studio. The vast majority of the work that I do is outside on the side of a building, most likely well after the twilight hours have come. Sometimes it’s inside a nice air conditioned building, sometimes it’s on a dilapidated rooftop, but it’s always fun.

Favorite feature: 

I like being able to express an idea with limited color. Some of that comes down to necessity considering what I do. Not having a lot of time to do a piece because I am worried about cops/criminals/civilians means I don’t always have time to add in a lot of color for visual effect, so I do what I can do with as little as possible.

More info at:  

Bakersfield Poet on Facebook. It’s easy to find. That is where I tend to put up most of my photos and converse with whoever is inclined to learn more about what I do. I don’t have my own website, I guess I am a bit of a luddite in the art world to that regard but…. I dunno.. .I suppose I am just lazy.

1. Books or movies? (And favorite?)

Books for the most part, though it’s a toss up much of the time because I do love movies. I’m a big fan of Chuck Palahniuk, Brett Easton Ellis, and some fantasy writers like Terry Goodkind and Robert Jordan.

2. What do you do to unwind?

I paint. This isn’t a job for me, I don’t get paid to do it and I don’t do pieces that don’t call to me in one way or another. Something about the smell of spray paint and the hiss of that can just puts me in a happy place.

3. Local business that should get more love?

The Foundry for sure. They are trying to do something that other galleries don’t have the balls to do, and that deserves more attention. People should attend their shows, buy their art, and support the local scene. Downtown Records has an art supplies shop off Easton that most people don’t even know exists, and the walls inside are covered with the best graffiti in town. Very cool place.

4. Favorite childhood memory?

I don’t think I ever stopped being a child. I mean it’s a fine line between a kid scribbling on a wall with crayons and me adjusting the visual appeal of a certain piece of wall with some spray cans. As for a particular memory? I can’t really pick one, they are all too important to me. I honestly believe that when we go, our memories are all we have to show for our life.

5. Personal soapbox:

When it comes to art, I think that we get wrapped up in what we assume the world wants us to view as the definition of the word. And I also believe that people don’t place enough value on the work that is done by real artists. Anyone can paint, what I do is relatively simple, a guy with some spray cans and an exacto knife could probably replicate most of my work. But it takes something special to make art. To speak to people through what they see, to engage them in this kind of magical yet silent conversation, that’s art. It doesn’t have to be on the walls of a museum or a gallery, or oil on canvas, it can be anything. I just wish people would open their minds to a different idea about what art means, and what it truly takes to create it.

[Ed. note: Some photos, above, were taken on the street. Be on the look out for more from Poet Bakersfield--coming to a neighborhood near you!]

Subterfuge Studios Project: Episode 3: Alex Ortiz

Subterfuge Studios Project is a blog series aimed at providing glimpses into the studios and spirits of an eclectic mix of local artists. Whether they be painters, writers, musicians, performers, designers, or crafters, each artist featured in SSP has agreed to share his or her personal space with you, the reader. All bio and interview questions are answered in the artist's own words. 

In this episode, Alex Ortiz, a young, aspiring visual artist, shares her toy-filled, inspirational bedroom/studio.

Name/moniker:

Alexandra Ortiz a.k.a Alex

Medium:

I carry sketchbooks everywhere to draw. I paint nearly every day. I also experiment in collage, sewing, sculpture, and poetry. At Cal State Bakersfield, and as I meet other artists out in the world, I am introduced to new mediums all the time. As I explore new mediums, I find some are more dangerous than others, and would advise beginners to proceed with caution, maybe even proceed with gloves and goggles.

Studio name:

The Fortress of Solitude. I spend a lot of my time here, most of it is alone. Because of the size of this space, and the odd hours I create art, I don't often have visitors. I create late at night, or in the morning, or in the afternoon, whenever I am inspired and have some free time, or when I make free time to carry out my inspiration.

 
Neighborhood:

My studio is in South East Bakersfield. It shares the space of my bedroom. 

Studio dimensions: 

10' x 11' 

Favorite feature:  

There are so many great features to my studio, but I would have to say the best is my easel. It's one of a kind. Before I built [it] I was using thin display easels, or leaning canvas against the wall, or putting canvas on the floor to paint. These methods were okay at the time, but this easel is sturdier and enables me to paint on larger canvases. And no one else can use this easel because it does, indeed, bite, because it is converted from a sculpture of a spider.

More info at:

artbyalexortiz.webs.com

1. English or Math?

English all the way. English is how we communicate and can be an art form. Words inspire me. Words that interest me, or adjectives that remind me of longer stories, become titles of my art work or become poetry I write.

2. What kind of toys did you play with, as a kid? 

I played with Barbies, Legos, puzzles, and so many stuffed animals. I made forts out of pillows and blankets with my brother and sister. I had an Easy Bake Oven when I was a kid, but put it away when I found out the real oven made more goodies at once. I also got the first strain of Pokemon cards. There were always crayons and coloring books; always watercolors to doodle with. Sometimes, on regular books, I would find a blank page at the very beginning or end and color on that, too.

I like to keep a few small toys around to remind me to not always take things too seriously.

3. Favorite locally owned restaurant:

Bill Lee’s Bamboo Chopsticks. I start with some hot tea. Next, I get a bowl of egg flour soup with oyster crackers. I read the Chinese zodiac to compare mine with whoever I am with. I like the crunchy noodles with sprouts; the fried rice is good too. Entrees I enjoy are the Egg Foo Young, Sweet & Sour spare ribs or shrimp. Anything you get there tastes great.
Bill Lee’s is located at 1203 18th Street, Bakersfield CA 93301.

4. Describe a recurring dream/nightmare?

I often dream I am driving. Sometimes up hill, sometimes down. Sometimes I drive on the freeway or in the country. Sometimes I dream of sitting in a parked car or trying to get into my car. Every now and then, friends will make cameos in my dreams. In real life I love driving and always enjoy a good road trip or just to cruise. 

5. Personal soapbox:

An important charity in town is Bakersfield AIDS Project. BAP works to promote AIDS awareness and prevention in Kern County. Ricky’s Retreat is a home, through BAP, for persons living with AIDS, who need hospice/a transitional home where they can stay as long as needed. Bakersfield AIDS Project is a non-profit organization that can always use help from the public in donating hygiene items, time, or funds.
For more information see bakersfieldaidsproject.com

A philosophical perspective of mine is to be generally optimistic and open to new experiences. Try to catch opportunities when they come, or make your own. Taste new foods. Explore new sounds of music. Gaze up at a huge painting (or a tiny one) and let it fill you with its beauty, or let it inspire you to do better. New food, new music, new art is being created daily by tons of people all over the place. If you haven’t seen, or tasted or experienced any, look for some. If you’re not satisfied with what you see, make some of your own. Try cooking something without a recipe or pick up an instrument. Make messes, clean them up, and make more messes. I don’t claim to have invented this philosophy, but I am trying to use it.

And, as always, don’t forget to color. 

[Ed. note: Alex Ortiz is a member of The Foundry; she, and her art, can be found downtown on First Fridays and at other special art events.]

Subterfuge Studios Project: Episode 1: Jen Raven

Subterfuge Studios Project is a new blog series aimed at providing a glimpse into the studios and spirits of an eclectic mix of local artists. Whether they be painters, writers, musicians, performers, designers, or crafters, each artist featured in SSP has agreed to share his or her personal space with you, the reader. All bio and interview questions are answered in the artist's own words. 


First up, a peek into the space and mind of the quirky, indomitable Jen Raven.

Name/moniker: 

Jennifer Powers (aka) Jen Raven 

Medium: 

I can be overly enthusiastic about a wide range of mediums.  Acrylic gesso and acrylic paints are what I enjoy most.  I'm also a big fan of heavy gel mediums, watercolors, photoshop, spraypaint, pencil, crayon, sharpie, clay, faux furs, feathers, foams, wigs, papers of all kinds and paper mache, paperboards, fixatives, varnishes, threads, yarns, trims, plastics, metals, polyfill, found objects, wires in every gauge, fabrics of all kinds, notions of all kinds, tapes of all kinds, and glues of all kinds.  I could keep going and going with this list.  And I love tools and machines as much as I love materials.

Studio name: 

My nick-name for the studio is 'Willow Run' after a WWII manufacturing plant in Michigan, which was built by Ford Motor Company for the mass production of B-24 Liberator military aircraft.  Willow Run got off to a slow start, at first, and had the press joking, "Will-It-Run?"  But then they got the bugs worked out, and production picked up to an astonishing degree ... the amazing production capacity of this plant (640 B-24s per month!) helped the Allies win the war.  

  

Neighborhood:

We live in Bakersfield's Southwest.  My studio is a converted space in our home.  

Studio dimensions:

Studio space measures ten feet by fifteen feet; we took the doors off the closet to make the room bigger.  

Favorite feature: 

For as long as I can remember, I've dreamed of having a dedicated work space that was all mine, with enough room to accommodate supplies and materials, while still also having enough space to handle several projects-in-progress at once. I finally have that space.  I still turn into an emo kid and get choked up when I walk through the door, every single time.  I can't believe my good fortune.  This studio has good light, lots of shelf space, three separate flat work spaces, and enough room to accommodate three standing easels at one time.  I'm home.

More info at: 

www.jenraven.com  

1. Favorite candy and why?  

Pink coconut bonbons from See's.  (The Tiperary bonbons are very good, too.)  I like these bonbons because they are like everything good about frosting, but concentrated.  I love frosting.  Love.  Frosting.  Keep the cake and just give me the frosting.

2. Do you have a collection, and if so, what do you collect?

I do have a collection:  I collect art pieces with wings.  Right now the favorites in my collection are two winged pieces by brilliant local talent Susan Roussel.  (Susan will be part of a small group exhibit, 'Fright Sights' opening First Friday, October 7 at The Foundry, 1602 20th Street, beginning at five pm.  Admission is free!)

  

3. Local musician/artist/writer etc. who deserves more attention:

The work of local Painter (and currently, Volunteer Gallery Director, Gallery Manager, Curator and Teacher) Jesus Fidel absolutely needs more attention.  We are damn lucky Jesus Fidel chooses to give so generously of his time and talent to building Bakersfield's Art Community.  If you don't know Jesus yet, spend some time at The Empty Space Gallery and get to know him.  He's an amazing painter,  and one hell of a nice guy.

4. Inspirations?

Human relationships --that is, our relationships with our selves, with each other, with our world -- make up the bulk of my subject matter.  One way or another all of my work revisits this theme.  My inspirations are drawn from literature, theatre, history, and of course, personal experience.  I am deeply moved, and I have a strong desire to communicate these feelings to others.  

5. Personal soapbox:

My pet charity here in town is the Alliance Against Family Violence and Sexual Assault.  Please join me in supporting this excellent group of people in helping to make our community safer for everyone.  They can be found on Facebook, and also at www.kernalliance.org  

(My philosophy or things I find important would take up pages and pages and pages and I'd never get done.  I'm just too worked up about too many damned things, lol).

[Ed. note: To check out more from Jen Raven, stop by downtown's First Friday event, October 7, 2011, from 5:00 - 9:00 p.m.]

Longevity pay.

Recently, I reached an employment milestone: 10 years with the County of Kern. For my loyalty, I received a nice tote, a certificate (see photo below), and an extra little love on my pay check. This last item was something that I had heard of but had never experienced. Something called longevity pay.

To be honest, I had mixed feelings about this financial blessing. Much as I, like anyone in this economy, could use a few extra bucks each pay period, I had this sinking feeling that I had reached a dead end--an uncomfortably comfortable habituality--from which I would never escape.

In order to process my thoughts, I wrote a short, depressing poem:

Longevity pay (what it means):

Stable, solid, old.

Settled, no longer looking, no more hope of change--

nor of striving to reach goals.

Arriving at plateaus; no longer choosing.

Becoming one of them.

Defeat.

Smacking of bland death or middle age--whichever comes first--

Walking in tasteless, stale, sensible shoes.

Cheery, eh? It's certainly not as maudlin a prospect as all that, but I do feel I've missed certain "windows" which may never open again. However, I have embraced the new dollar amount I get to count on each check, and though I have mixed feelings about being a permanently permanent fixture with the County, I am proud of the fact that I've stuck with an employer this long--and that, in these times, that employer has allowed me to stick!

And, guess what? Last time I checked, I'm still breathing. Some opportunities are, quite definitely, gone forever. But future possibilities of art, new experiences, and life and love are all before me. I don't think I need to finish my autobiography just yet.

Dust and nostalgia.

What the heck are these?

Most years Bakersfield skips the season of spring and jumps right into summer.  But unpredictable temperatures in the last couple of months have allowed us natives to pretend we live at the beach--minus the ocean view. It is starting to warm up now, but while we were experiencing cooler weather I was inspired to do a bit of spring cleaning.

Found my red Keds!

The back bedroom closet had become a solid wall of dust and nostalgia that needed to be sifted. I took on the task while I had a week off from work, but quickly realized how much time was going to be needed for a project of this size. Boxes still packed from my last move yielded happy rediscoveries, and gobs of memories, packed away for the last twenty-five years of my life, were also found. Here was my old, green stationery box filled with school ID cards and long-ago classmates' phone numbers; letters and postcards from friends and ancient crushes; music trophies from my nerdy junior high years; and about one hundred stuffed animals whose faithful hugs I had nearly forgotten. I also found check stubs from every job I've ever held, poems and journals I'd written in my angsty 20s, and the scrapbook I made for my senior year of high school. What a thoroughly exhausting trip down memory lane!

While the closet is still not fully organized, reliving some of the old days has uncluttered my mind, at least a little. As I creep ever more quickly toward my 40th birthday, it was a good time to reflect on how far I've come, how blessed I am, and how much I'm looking forward to what the next decades bring! Done any spring cleaning lately? What's the best thing you've rediscovered?

Rediscovered Sarah Coventry bracelet which I remember wearing in the 80s!!