A sweet monster holding a turtle - Budsies partnership

Kids & Art held a fantastic workshop run by artist Toby Cochran to create a special Budsies project.

During this event, the kids drew designs for characters that Budsies will turn into their very own plush toy! Alexandra Nagie (Development and Program Associate) and Sejal Desai (Operations Manager) started the introductions, greeting everyone with much excitement for this incredible workshop, along with Carmen Ericson (Program Manager) and assistant artists Janae Dueck (Volunteer) and Amy Bainton (Intern).

Toby gave an inspiring presentation about his company Big Grin Productions, and about other job experiences he has had as an animator and artist. He explained how all the different projects he works on have in common imagination and creativity. This presentation helped the kids to develop ideas to draw for their own creature. He really encouraged the kids to dream big and to come up with unique and imaginative designs, showing how different shapes and colors in a character drawing can represent their personality. This helped us to make a list of our personality traits and things we liked to do as inspiration for what we could include in our drawings. From his list of words, Toby drew several examples to show the kids how starting with one base shape can lead to several design ideas. They really enjoyed this and were inspired by seeing his creativity bring to life all kinds of different characters, especially his rendering of a slice of pizza wearing sunglasses while riding a skateboard!

Our volunteer Janae created wonderful monster examples for the kids to see, such as a dragon, a fish dressed in business attire, an octopus-dog, a smiling avocado complete with a top hat and shoes, and more! We then had some time to draw our designs, which all turned out wonderfully silly and creative! The kids and assistant artists had so much fun drawing characters such as a heart monster, a rainbow cat-llama and crawfish, a skateboarding taco, a basketball with a cool hat, a blue fuzzy cat, a race car, a cat-woman, a rainbow cloud, a superhero muffin, and a sweet monster holding a turtle, plus even more designs!

The Kids & Art Team was so impressed by the kids’ creativity and enthusiasm. The kids will send pictures of their amazing drawings to Budsies, and in a few weeks, after production and mailing, we will hold a Zoom party for them to open their boxes, revealing their wonderful plush toys! In this amazing opportunity to partner with Budsies, we had a truly wonderful time learning from Toby and spending time together being silly as we created a fun and lasting memory!

Artist Toby shared this with us-

My intention was to give all the kiddos a tool that no one can ever take away, not even cancer. No matter where they are, what they're dealing with, or what's going on in life, we all have this resource. And that's our Imagination.

I believe that imagination is more important than knowledge, as many have heard that classic line, "knowledge is power" but that's not true, it's only power when we take action and what I witnessed during the workshop was kiddos taking ACTION turning their ideas into reality. I had an amazing time, I absolutely loved seeing the artwork come to life and the reveal party can't come soon enough!!

Lear more about Budsies Pals and Toby Cochran

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Artists come create with us and share your expertise with our pediatric patients. Support our mission to use the power of the arts and creativity to heal! - email: [email protected]

I am reminded in times of crisis we find ourselves

I am reminded in times of crisis we find ourselves. This is certainly true with me. In March, in the Pandemic, I decided to challenge myself and build my artist website. The existing website I had for many years required updates. My webmaster disappeared leaving me a choice, find another webmaster or create a new website myself. Now, for someone prior to creating a website, I was technically challenged out of fear for making mistakes and told myself, creating a website could be a disaster. I took a leap of faith and began.

In creating my website I found strength and patience I didn’t know I had. At times working with the Squarespace company tried both our patience because everything was new to me, and I required a lot of handholding.

I continued with a leap of faith that I could be vulnerable and strong at the same time by launching a project called “The Heart Series.” Creating one minute videos of each painting I’ve created over 20 years, some never before shown to the public, and some remaining in my private collection. Each day I’ve posted on social media - YouTube, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Linkedin and Tumbir one video painting. Today, I’m over 90. Also, I took another big leap by sharing my story in a video that was emotional for me. So, this silver lining in the middle of this Pandemic I have found the gift of vulnerability. For it is in my vulnerability I grow.

The first painting I created (in April I think) was “Blooming Trumpets.” Paint poured through me with every color I had before having to restock my supplies. I was compelled to create Asian characters that later upon completion, appeared to be flowers, or rather “Blooming Trumpets.”

Blooming Trumpets

“Phoenix Rising” is a painting created in 2008 when my life like most others was in turmoil because of the recession. When I finished painting, all of a sudden I saw the “Phoenix Rising,” understanding that I was the Phoenix rising from the ashes creating a new me.

Phoenix Rising

Breathing Green” speaks to me especially now in the middle of this Pandemic. I used my hands saturated in “life green” painting by candle light after coming home from an intense personal three day workshop in the Santa Cruz mountains. This “life force” green gives us hope in renewing our bodies connecting more with spirit.

Breathing Green

“Imagine” is another 2008 painting when I was like others in the middle of the recession and doing my best to image what steps I would take next. Because I never know what is going to appear on my canvas, when the painting named itself “Imagine,” it became my touchstone to keep creating no matter what the adversity is.

Imagine

“Come Together Now” is a type of painting I’ve never done before. I used petite letters from a kids project several years ago creating words, like Happy, or WFI. Whenever, I complete the work, I sit with it and allow what it would like to be called to come to me. This time, loud and clear “Come Together Now” shouted out. And, with the Pandemic, I realized “Come Together Now” is our theme.

Come Together Now

“Seafoam” reflects the every changing ocean that I love. The vibrant blues play against one another with a laughter of a soft greenish blue swirling into the mix. This painting gives one reflection and a soft place to land. In these trouble times with the Pandemic we could all use a soft safe place to land.

Seafoam

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When a collector purchases my art, the happiness in my soul multiples.

“I saw “Blueing“ and knew my sea loving daughter would love the vibrant brightness emanating from the canvas. It felt like one was in a wave, not just looking at it. The light dances, the painting is never the same.” - Liesl Moldow

“I purchased Tiffany Birch’s original “Eternity” acrylic painting on canvas because it evoked pure joy within me! - Anne Thull - Anne Thull Fine Art Designs

“I was attracted to “Playtime” because of the vibrant colors. I feel bringing color into one’s life is important and Tiffany’s art surely does this with a passion. This painting has introduced another dynamic of art to my children, and I am grateful for this. Color is JOY, Tiffany is JOY.” - Ken Arends

“Bringing one of Tiffany’s creations into your environment will positively affect the vibrational energy of your home or office.” -Linda Lenore, Feng Shui Master -Green Chi Designs

“Tiffany’s artworks is a passionate display of intense feelings and color, movement and delight. No two paintings of hers are alike.” -Sherry Joyce - Author - The Dordogne Deception, Dangerous Duplicity & Dangerous Justice

Follow me on facebook, instagram, twitter, youtube, linkedin

#art #paintings #acrylic paintings #interior design #home #office #feng shui #abstract art #abstract art paintings

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Tiffany Birch, Artist: I am an Abstract Expressionist. When I started to explore art through the Art League in Olde Town Alexandria, Virginia, I found myself driven to paint and left after four lessons to paint. I painted 60 paintings in 45 days, and shortly thereafter, received representation through Marin Price Gallery In Chevy Chase, Maryland.

In 2002 I relocated to Northern California. Next, came a new experience of being invited to teach kids with life threatening illnesses to paint, in my style of imaginative painting….”I want you to paint what an ice cream cone tastes like.” Read more on my website

Roque Ballesteros - 10 Artists 10th Anniversary

Our 10 Artists for our 10th Anniversary celebration continues! Over the next 10 months our newsletter will feature 10 of our 'amaeyzing' Kids & Art artists who have been with us on our journey from 2008 to now.

We will compile all 10 artists' stories into a small book ready for our 10th Anniversary gala in San Francisco on December 1, 2018. Each of the 10 artists will also be given one word on which they will create a piece of art. These 10 pieces will be displayed together at our gala and will encompass the mission of Kids & Art. We thank these artists for taking part and inspiring us with their artwork and insightful words.

For April please meet artist Roque Ballesteros. If you attended our Volunteer Appreciation Party on Sunday April 22, 2018, you will have received our brand new volunteer pins. These Amaeyzing Spirit Pins were designed by Roque.

We had asked Roque to go with the Super Volunteer metaphor (because he is a superhero kinda artist) and we loved all the options he sent our way.

Everyone loved this set and then it came down to choosing the colors.

These are our final pins. amaeyzing spirit child and amaeyzing spirit volunteers!

1. Name, website
Roque Ballesteros
www.ghostbot.com

2. What inspired you to begin your journey as an artist?
I’ve always drawn and loved animation and movies for as long as I can remember. I read a lot of comics and made my own with friends. When I got older, I started being known as “the artist” in school but it was just because I loved drawing so much and would always volunteer to draw things for class – logos, t-shirts, book covers, yearbook messages, posters, etc. I never thought it could be a “serious career”.
 
However, when I was in 7th grade I saw “The Little Mermaid” in the theater (against my will). I was so caught up in the story and the characters that it wasn’t until the middle of it that I realized someone had drawn all of it. I was hooked after that and knew that it was something that I wanted to do.

3. What do you do to keep yourself motivated and interested in your work? What do you do to get into your creative zone?
There are a lot of ways I try to keep my “creative tank” full. I love going to used book stores and just browsing everything from children’s books to art books to graphic novels. I love to watch movies and tv shows and dissect what makes them work (or not work) for me. I don’t go that often but I love going to museums and seeing all the art up close and in person. And I really love watching live theater/musicals. There is something about the magic of theater and how that connects with the audience in real time that is so inspiring. One of my career goals is to do something in theater one day.

4. What are you working on now?
I recently wrapped on working as the Production Designer on the second season of Star Wars: Forces of Destiny – a micro-series for Lucasfilm that Ghostbot produced. Currently I’m working on visual development for a reboot of a popular video game.

5. What does your art mean to you?
My art is so much of my identity. It is a piece of me that I can’t turn off (which comes with goods and bads!). It is a way of telling a story when words are not enough.

6. What has been the most difficult challenge as an artist and who are your biggest influences?
One of the most difficult challenges for me as an artist is trying to run a company at the same time. The business brain and the artist brain are on polar opposite ends of the spectrum. It’s a constant tension in my world.
 
Also difficult: staring at a blank page.
 
Some of my biggest artistic influences are Walt Disney, Jim Henson, George Lucas, Mary Blair, Eyvind Earle, Julie Taymor, Al Hirschfeld, Ralph Steadman, Ralph McQuarrie, Roger Deakins, Gerald McDermott, Ed Emberley, Moebius, Bruce Timm, Peter Chung, Scott Wills, Dan Krall, Mo Willems…the list goes on and on…I’m influenced by a lot!

7. What has been your favorite accomplishment as an artist?
Seeing people respond and connect with my art, whether it was through my job or my personal art. When people “get” what you are trying to communicate, it’s incredibly fulfilling.

8. What advice would you give to someone starting out as an artist?
Practice. Practice. Practice. And then when you are tired of practicing, practice some more. Find any way to put your art out there. Oftentimes, artists are trapped in their heads and it can be the hardest thing to get what is in your head out into the world. That is 90% of the battle for me.
 
Oh, and did I mention practice?

9. If you could live in a different artistic period, which one would you chose?
I would love to have been working in the film and animation industry in the 1970s, 80s, and early 90s. So many great worlds and characters were created at that time that have influenced me tremendously. I feel like there was more innovation in the art form at that time.
 
If I had to choose an actual artistic period, I would say the early 1900s with German Expressionism and Cubism.

10. Do you have a favorite art gallery? Do you have a favorite color? And why?
I don’t know enough art galleries to have a favorite. However for museums in the city, I like the Legion of Honor, the SFMOMA, and the Walt Disney Family Museum.
 
Choosing a favorite color is tough. Depends on for what. I can usually find something to love about every color depending on the context.

Practice. Practice. Practice. And then when you are tired of practicing, practice some more.

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I believe art has the power to heal because…

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When people “get” what you are trying to communicate, it’s incredibly fulfilling

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“My art is so much of my identity. It is a piece of me that I can’t turn off (which comes with goods and bads!).”

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ABOUT THE ARTIST:

Roque Ballesteros is an Emmy-nominated and award-winning director with strong artistic vision and passion for storytelling. He is one of the co-founders of Ghostbot (started in 2004), one of the premier 2D animation studios in the Bay Area. Roque graduated from the Rhode Island School of Design and is grateful to live in San Francisco with his beautiful wife and two kids.

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Kids & Art Foundation is thankful to have a vast community of artists who create with us. Our artists share their passion for art and their commitment to make the world a better place. Without them we cannot heal pediatric cancer through art.

If you believe in the healing power of artists then please support our artist stipends with your donations and corporate matching. All donations are 100% tax deductible and our EIN is 27-1415727

Ginger Slonaker - 10 Artists 10th Anniversary

We are excited to announce that to mark our 10th Anniversary, over the next 10 months our newsletter will feature 10 of our 'amaeyzing' Kids & Art artists who have been with us on our journey from 2008 to now.

We will feature one artist each month. Each artist will answer the same 10 questions, share some images of their art, and post a short video completing the sentence, “I believe art has the power to heal because………” We can't wait to find out how each artist will complete this sentence!

We will compile all 10 artists' stories into a small book ready for our 10th Anniversary gala in San Francisco on December 1, 2018. Each of the 10 artists will also be given one word on which they will create a piece of art. These 10 pieces will be displayed together at our gala and will encompass the mission of Kids & Art. We thank these artists for taking part and inspiring us with their artwork and insightful words.

We asked the artist to share a piece of art from her childhood. Here is her piece called "Me and my Dog".

1. Name, website
Ginger Slonaker
www.gingerslonaker.com

2. What inspired you to begin your journey as an artist?
My mother. She was a curator at the Smithsonian Institute in DC and a mother of 3 children. Spending time with her at the museum was time I got to be alone with her. Art was a way towards my mother.

3. What do you do to keep yourself motivated and interested in your work? What do you do to get into your creative zone?
I teach children art. I go to art openings and spend time with creative friends and my family. I get into my creative zone with quietness. I find something that has a rhythmic quality like walking the dogs on the beach, sweeping the floor, doing the dishes or swimming in a pool. This pumps up creativity for me.

4. What are you working on now?
I’m working on a #MeToo campaign inspired series of paintings.

5. What does your art mean to you?
To me, art means communication and an outlet for my truth and my voice.

6.What has been the most difficult challenge as an artist and who are your biggest influences?
I believe that ‘bad artists copy and good artists steal’ and ‘there are no new ideas under the sun.’ But, it is hurtful when a piece of artwork or concept is taken or not credited to me. 
My artist influences among many are-
Hieronymus Bosch
Frida Kahlo
Francis Bacon
Livia Stein
Deborah Jacoby
Heather Wilcoxon

7. What has been your favorite accomplishment as an artist?
Giving an artists’ talk is a joy for me as an artist.

8. What advice would you give to someone starting out as an artist?
My advice would be to use your sketch book everyday and visit as many exhibits as you can.

9. If you could live in a different artistic period, which one would you chose?
I would not want any other period than now. Women’s voices are taken more seriously now. There are many different styles that are acceptable and there is an openness to the personal style that did not happen in past periods of art. Before, there was only one style of art that had to be followed.

10. Do you have a favorite art gallery? Do you have a favorite color? And why?My favorite art gallery is the Main Gallery in Redwood City. It is where I first found a sense of an art community  in the Bay Area art community. My favorite color used to be red. Now it is raspberry! It means royal, gratitude and juiciness.

To me, art means communication and an outlet for 

my truth and my voice.

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I believe art has the power to heal because…

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Women’s voices are taken more seriously now. There are many different styles that are acceptable and there is an openness to the personal style that did not happen in past periods of art.

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ABOUT THE ARTIST:

Ginger Slonaker was born in the Pacific Islands, grew up in Washington, DC, spent several years in the Nether­lands, and now lives in the Bay Area. Art critics have described Slonaker's art as "whimsical yet twisted." Like a venus flytrap, the use of bright colors and surrealistic proportions in Slonaker's art initially attracts the viewer's attention; but once caught, the viewer experiences drastic changes. More serious themes of dysfunction and injustice arise, partly obfuscated by playful composition. Slonaker holds a BFA and MFA in illustration from the University of Arizona, and now spends most of her time painting in her art studio and teaching art to children. She lives with her husband and teenage daughters, not to mention two devoted dogs, and over 1,000 hardworking composting worms.

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Kids & Art Foundation is thankful to have a vast community of artists who create with us. Our artists share their passion for art and their commitment to make the world a better place. Without them we cannot heal pediatric cancer through art.

If you believe in the healing power of artists then please support our artist stipends with your donations and corporate matching. All donations are 100% tax deductible and our EIN is 27-1415727