Post, Post, Post Mortem

December 9, 2016Susan R. Kirshenbaum1 Comment

Getting ready 1: The shadow of one of my "helpers" for the shows. Making packets of gift wrap. — *Getting ready 1: The shadow of one of my "helpers" for the shows. Making packets of gift wrap.*

*Getting ready 2: Cutting, sewing, and stuffing. The process of making my soft sculpture at SEW.*

The last show and sale of 2016. I'm with my work on display at The Blueberry Farm in Sebastopol, CA. 12/16 — *The last show and sale of 2016. I'm with my work on display at The Blueberry Farm in Sebastopol, CA. 12/*16

My pop-up storefront in the heart of Hayes Valley in SF, CA. October 2016 — *My pop-up storefront in the heart of Hayes Valley in SF, CA. October 2016*

*I'm wearing one of my art dresses next to one of my color block silk scrolls at the Maker & Moss pop-up.*

*Our Opening Reception Brunchette at The Laundry. November 2016*

My soft sculpture installed. November 2016 — *My soft sculpture installed.* *November 2016*

Newest fabric design made into long, 2-sided silk scarves, a tribute to Warhol (a fellow Pittsburgher). I have two left  in my online shop. — *Newest fabric design made into long, 2-sided silk scarves, a tribute to Warhol (a fellow Pittsburgher). I have two left in my* *online shop.*

IT'S THE END OF THE YEAR!

My three art shows are wrapped up and I'm taking off for an exotic travel adventure! After this last blog post please check back next year. I promise an awesome slide show from a very photogenic trip.

I'm still thinking about what I learned from my 2016 shows and how that will affect what I do next year as I plan. The October, November, and December art events were the culmination of several years of creating multiple bodies of work. The emphasis for each show was unique.

My first show was a one-day Pop-Up at Maker & Moss (see my blog post). Held at my friend's artistic retail housewares shop in Hayes Valley, I was asked to make a lot of art merchandise for this show. I went into production for many months - designing, sewing, finding helpers, making new editions of prints, figuring out my product lines, packaging them all up.

This was a lot of work for one day. It's unlikely that I'll book another one-day only pop-up, but it was a healthy deadline and test run.

The second show started out with SF Open Studios and a shared rental gallery at The Laundry in the Mission. Talented artist friend Lisa Lightman shared the space with me. Our art paired beautifully.

This was my first opportunity to show all seven pieces in my new series of life-sized silk scrolls and the beginning of a another new series, large soft sculpture. With a fan creating a gentle breeze, my scrolls fluttered slightly, producing an experience for the viewer of being in a roomful of nude women in conversation.

One of my corners of the gallery showing a color block silk scroll (left), two of my white silk scrolls (right), three of my prints and a drawing (center) Plus the fan. November 2016 — *One of my corners of the gallery showing a color block silk scroll (left), two of my white silk scrolls (right), three of my prints and a drawing (center) Plus the fan.* *November 2016*

This is my friend who stopped by during her Thanksgiving visit. She felt an affinity for the red-haired subjects in these scrolls. November 2016 — *This is my friend who stopped by during her Thanksgiving visit. She felt an affinity for the red-haired subjects in these scrolls. November 2016*

I also showed (and sold) silkscreens, etchings, fine art digital prints, and pre-digital life drawings at The Laundry.

Another corner of the gallery shows a large silkscreen (top left), Backs, a set of four fine art digital prints (below), and a gouache painting (right). More redheads! — *Another corner of the gallery shows a large silkscreen (top left),* Backs, a set of four fine art digital prints (below), and a gouache painting (right). More redheads!

We were asked to stay on in the gallery through November - a wonderful chance to get more exposure. We had opening and closing events with Spanish champagne and snacks, an art talk, and more. I sold prints and drawings met some interesting people. I got some exposure to curators and galleries and photos of my scrolls as a group.

The Laundry is a new hotspot in the Mission. It's a shared workspace and artspace focussed on building a creative community. This is a place to watch! I plan to stay involved with The Laundry and show my work there again.

I've just wrapped up my last art event, at The Blueberry Farm in Sebastopol, an annual group holiday show and sale with five artists (jewelry, sculpture, photography, painting, and montages). I sold prints, drawings, art cards, tea towels, silk scarves, cherry pit filled hot/cold pads, gift wrap, art leggings, and more.

Even the weather was on our side. It was a gorgeous, crisp late fall weekend. This farm is utterly charming...even the mint-filled ground cover smells great. We served tiny blueberry muffins and home-baked goodies. It was nice to be out of The City and I met lots of cool locals and was impressed by my SF and East Bay friends who made the 1.5 hour trek to see and buy. I'd do it again next year!

*Hosts and artists Alivea and Gayle Cole at The Blueberry Farm. Thanks! December 2016*

Big News! My Art Show is Extended to November 27

November 10, 2016Susan R. KirshenbaumComment

*At my art show on Sunday with designer pal Anna Singer. Yes - I am wearing one of my art dresses here too.*

*One of the advantages of the show staying up longer include being featured at "Wine Wednesdays" - an art and mingling event at The Laundry. We gave an art talk to this group last night.*

That's me - Susan R. Kirshenbaum in front of my life-sized figures in the series White Silk Scrolls at The Laundry though Nov. 27. — *That's me - Susan R. Kirshenbaum in front of my life-sized figures in the series* White Silk Scrolls at The Laundry though Nov. 27.

WOW! We had a great Open Studios weekend, but here's even better news - now there's an opportunity to come by the gallery and look at the work leisurely because we will stay up until November 27! Lisa Lightman, a San Francisco artist and friend, is exhibiting with me.

Stop by again, or for the first time, to check out the gallery, our show, and The Laundry. It is open all day M-F, 9-5. Or call for an appointment. Walk all the way through the cafe and shared workspace to the gallery at the far end of the floor.

I'm showing my current fine art which includes seven silk scrolls I created over the last year and this is the first time they've been shown together in a gallery exhibit. Plus I'm showing all of my framed prints on paper.

Last weekend was great fun - we had an opening party with mini-bagels, Lisa's home-baked goodies, cava (Spanish champagne), coffee, and more, on Saturday. There was even a fellow playing piano out front!

This show is very different from my recent Pop-Up which was more about making and selling my "art merch". I won't be exhibiting more of that until the group Holiday Show and Sale with friends in Sebastopol - Gayle and Alivea Cole on 12/2-4.

Note that our exhibit - now through November 27 - is also an event on Facebook

With Jack and old friends who surprised us at the exhibit last weekend. I'm wearing one of my art dresses and we are in front of one of one of three of my color block silk scrolls (those are my prints on paper in the right hand corner).

*Lisa Lightman in front of her paintings at The Laundry gallery with me though Nov. 27.*

After the initial show weekend - since it's been extended - here's a cluster of friends (from Catalonia!) at Wednesday wine mixer.

Did you see her? Blue Woman with Pink Posey. She's the first of my life-sized soft sculptures of women. So excited about this new series. Hoping to make a roomful at the next show!

Pop-Up Post Mortem

October 24, 2016ArtingSusan R. KirshenbaumComment

My Maker & Moss Art Show and Sale on 10/22/16, SF, CA, USA ... Feeling pretty good as I hit a major milestone that I've been working on for over a year - my first ever pop-up art show - showing and selling all of my new artwork. So much to do to get ready, but it all went without a hitch! Thank you, my new and old friends for being there! Here are some shots of the day. And by the way, it was more of a Pop-OUT than a Pop-Up - as in - showing the world all of my yummy COLOR COMBOS.

This Week in SF - My First Pop-Up is at Maker & Moss

October 18, 2016Susan R. Kirshenbaum1 Comment

So excited (and busy) getting ready for this show and sale. It's the first time I'm displaying all of my art and goods. Now Cherry Pits Art has a fall/winter line - all with my figurative drawings and paintings in a gorgeous array of colors and patterns!

Join us at Maker & Moss, in the heart of Hayes Valley, San Francisco, on Saturday, 10/22, from 11am-6pm. I'll be there the whole time so if you are nearby stop in and say hello.

My pop-up venue, Maker & Moss, is my friend Matt's lovely home goods shop. Matt and I met each other while we were working at the JCCSF, where we used to go for "inter-departmental walks". We continued our walks after we both left over two years ago. On a walk many months ago we decided to do this pop-up show, so here it is at last.

This is a rare opportunity to see everything I've been making - in person. Check out my art fabric tote bags, throw pillows, silk scarves, tea towels, cocktail napkins, placemats, hot/cold pads (filled with cherry pits!), greeting cards, gift wrap, art pendant necklaces, fine art prints on paper, and monumental silk scrolls. And dresses too, made to order.

I've been making art and art merchandise like crazy and several folks have helped me tremendously - so here's a shout out. Huge thank you to my sewer buddies, Mary Allen (my neighbor), Connie Walker-Shaw and Eva Hernandez from SEW (West Portal/SF), and Rachel Myers from Home Decor Learning Center (Concord). Thanks, too, to Jack, Kat, Lyndee, Valerie, Rhiannon, and Matt for the all the different ways you've helped me get here.

A Visit to SF Galleries

September 30, 2016Susan R. KirshenbaumComment

On a rare hot and sunny day we went gallery hopping in San Francisco's up and coming art neighborhood, Dog Patch. We meandered around an uncharacteristically uncrowded Minnesota Street Project where we saw this great exhibit by Sidney Russell: New Work, at Rena Bransten. WOW. Totally relate to these iconic, large-scale, sewn clothes. Very "Alice".

We also enjoyed the beautiful Hosfelt Gallery (see wall detail below)...and their 20th Anniversary Exhibit.

Inside Hosfelt Gallery the walls are artfully left as found in certain places...

And we visited two more great galleries, Catherine Clark Gallery and Brian Gross Fine Art where we discussed and the super-cool work of Roy De Forest on display. All in all it was an excellent art afternoon with friends and family.

Making Bags and Pendants Now Too!

September 27, 2016Susan R. KirshenbaumComment

Textile Wearables

Carry-All Bags (hand-sewn locally and made from digitally printed fabric from my original art). My textile products make a bold statement that reflects confidence – close to a campaign – for pride in the female form, close to flaunting female nudity. It says “be fearless”. Sometimes subtle, buried in pattern, other times large, dramatic, and bold graphic identifiable figures, my textiles make an assertive expression.

I create my textile patterns digitally from my original model drawings, also created digitally. I scale and adjust the artwork, depending on the end-use and particular fabric. This fabric is 100% linen-cotton canvas. These bags are lined with 100% cotton.

I draw my product prototype designs by hand. Once I get my digitally printed fabric, I wash it, iron it, and turn it into my product prototype and often I invent as I go. Most of my products are made locally in San Francisco, CA and are printed in the USA.

In early 2015 I started learning to sew in order to repair or remake a huge amount of knitwear that my cat, Nigel, had chewed up. I brought garbage bags full of sweaters and scarves to a nearby sewing studio (SEW) where I transformed the unwearable into art clothing. I now have great knitwear/artwear from this era! Once comfortable sewing, and later that same year, I transitioned into creating my own fabric and clothing which is designed to spotlight my figurative artwork. My art fabric (and paper goods) feature a single work of art - large, colorful female nude drawings, paintings, and photo collages, made into a repeat pattern.

I’ve been drawing short poses with live models for many years and I am prolific. This means that I have an enormous supply of potential art to use. I have to edit and select what work to feature - very carefully - and there’s always trial and error involved. The textiles I create come from my weekly model drawing sessions at The Box Factory. Since 2013 I’ve been drawing on my iPad with a stylus. In 2015 I started Cherry Pits Art, my personal brand.

Two-Sided Picture Frame Art Charm Necklaces

I’m crazy about being able to wear my artwork and it’s so exciting to see it scaled to different sizes. This is the smallest version available of my original art prints, framed, and ready to wear. I’ve selected two pieces of my artwork for each necklace. Each pairing reflects a powerful symbiosis of my works of art.

The art is printed on thick stock, glued back-to-back, and trimmed to fit inside the glass and metal frame charm. (Note that it’s best not to try to remove it or even open the little door handle.) The necklace ball-chains are 15” long plus 2” for the charm. They are available in two metal tones: dark copper and bright silver. Hand assembled. Artwork is printed in the USA. © 2016 srkirshenbaum

In SF? Stop by! These cool art fabric bags and 2-sided art pendant necklaces will be available for sale at my Maker and Moss (www.makerandmoss.com) Pop-Up Art Show and Sale in Hayes Valley on Saturday, October 22 from 11am-6pm. They are now available in our online shop.

My last name, Kirshenbaum (Kirschenbaum), means Cherry Tree. Now I’m using everything in my life’s toolbox, the cherries and the pits.

I’m married to Jack, and we have two cats and no kids. We live high on a hill in San Francisco, CA, USA. I write, draw, paint, collage, take photos, sew, cook, entertain, design, and make things. I like to watch films, take classes, walk, dance, and travel – but most of all – I love to draw people.

Read more about me here and take a look at my latest photos below.

May 16 is the Lunar Eclipse! Here’s a photo of me (tiny) at an art show in Frank Gehry’s Louis Vuitton Foundation in Paris. Photo by Tom Sparks. @srkirshenbaum #frankgehrybuilding #architecture #spraypaintart #portraitphotography #barelyvisible

Here’s a tiny snippet of the performance piece I saw a few days ago at ICA. She’s a commanding performer with strong ideas. So happy to have Mary participate in the Invisibility Collective conversations and exhibitions despite her busy CCA schedule. @mary.graham.art @ccaexhibitions @ccafinearts @icasanfrancisco #performance art #voice #callandrepeat #anscestors @anno.kim

I’m giving an Art Talk tomorrow (tickets free on Eventbrite) about my piece “Appear/Disappear” in the “Women Rising” show at The Drawing Room at 780 Valencia Street: April 5, from 4-6:30pm, featuring multiple artists. I’ll be talking about this piece which I originally created for my series “See Through Us” shown for the first time at the Invisibility Collective’s initial exhibition “Seen x Unseen” in Dec 2020 at Radian Gallery. @invisibilitycollective #appear #invisiblewomen #olderwomenrule @radiangallery @drawingroomsf @inside.outside.project @curatedstate #rootdivision @sfwa_artistsgallery @artspansf @sfcityartgallery #sfartist #digitalartist #procreateartist #ipadartist #figurativeartist #worksonfabric #lifedrawing #gesturedrawing #modeldrawing #artshow #contemporaryart #drawing #portraits #artforsalebyartist #womenartists #artgallery #artstudio #artpractice #bayareamodelsguild #portraitdrawing #digitaloriginalart #digitalcollage #redbubbleartist #spoonflowerartist #wordpairs #upsidedown

@invisibilitycollective members @srkirshenbaum and @rhiannonblackandwhite are pleased to be participating in @rootdivision 20th annual art auction and exhibition!

Don’t miss this exhibition which is strategically placed around the legion of honor and so powerful... @legionofhonor @wangechimutu #arttosee #sfartscene

When was the last time you really looked at your lettuce? 🥬

Another shooting in Minneapolis.I cannot stop crying. feeling that the world is falling apart morally. it is so easy seemingly to kill another human. To in a second wipe out a young man’s Existence And to spread pain and despair so completely easily with seemingly no resistance from so many other humans. I invite all who read this to stand in front of your houses this evening with a lit candle and say a prayer for all who have died through police brutality and racism. — Angela Tirrell, Invisibility Collective

“White / Colored” installation art in the desert by Noah Purifoy seen near Joshua Tree (by Collective Member Susan Kirshenbaum).

Invisibility Collective creates, promotes, and disseminates arresting art and ideas about those who feel invisible, those who are fighting to have a cogent voice. As a member of the Collective I make art work not only about my fellow humans, but also about creatures of the earth and sky, and the planet itself. I subscribe to the brilliant idea my painter aunt and mentor in Rome, Pucci Clerici, has lobbied for over decades: there should be a representative for planet Earth in the UN!

Sunday's San Francisco Chronicle spread featuring collective member Rhiannon Evans MacFadyen and discussing the invisible labor of artists. Images taken at Radian Gallery at the end of our group exhibition Seen × Unseen in January. @rhiannonblackandwhite @invisibilitycollective @sfchronicle @sfchronicle_datebook @sfchronicle_art @radiangallery #seenxunseen #labor #ab5 #gigwork #artistsarelaborers

Come see the show. Bernie's gallery-sitting for us. As always, masks and mittens required.

LAST CHANCE to see the unseen at Seen × Unseen, closing soon at @radiangallery ! DM us here or contact @srkirshenbaum to schedule a safely-distanced visit!

Last days! Here is a series of photos of Seen X Unseen @radiangallery until 1/25. By appointment only. DM me (susan). @rhiannonblackandwhite @mrlonniegraham @cmtandy @srkirshenbaum @mary.graham.art @cindynwndrlnd @art_as_essay @sfwa_artistsgallery @artspansf @sfcityartgallery #artgallery #sfart #sfbayarea #artistsoninstagram #artwork #contemporaryart #installationart #artonfabric #contemporaryfigurativeart #contemporary_collective #photographysouls #invisibility #seethrough #videoperformance #contemporarypainting #artexhibition #covidart

“Very” by Sawyer Rose in the Seen X Unseen exhibition- see it now in its last week! Dm me for an appointment at Radian gallery in SF (one person at a time). @radiangallery @art_as_essay @ksawyerrose @srkirshenbaum @mrlonniegraham @rhiannonblackandwhite #installationartist #sculpture #portraitphotography #storytelling #invisible #castmetalsculpture #sfartscene #sfartgallery

It’s the last week to visit! Make an appointment for a one on one visit to Radian Gallery to see “Seen X Unseen”. Work pictured here is by Angela Tirrell. @art_as_essay #contemporaryart #mixedmedia #internetinvisible #wired #sfartgallery @radiangallery #floorpieces

The collective’s “Seen X Unseen” exhibition catalogue is out! @cindyrenee4 @cmtandy @ksawyerrose @nancywillisart @art_as_essay @artbysamira007 @mrlonniegraham @bldrman @sophiagreenart @nancywillisart @art_as_essay @artbysamira007 @radiangallery #sfartist #sfartgallery #exhibitioncatalog #covidart #contemporayart #drawing #photography #mixedmedia #printmakingart #installationart #performanceart #alter #rituals #artcollective

Tomorrow ! Saturday December 19 noon -3pm pdt join us for an art talk about “Seen x Unseen” group show on zoom register here: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZIode6hrDMoEtJLuSkKzZDnSxpG2zDnfD_y @bldrman @cmtandy @radiangallery @art_as_essay @rhiannonblackandwhite @srkirshenbaum @nancywillisart @ksawyerrose @cindynwndrlnd @artbysamira007 @mrlonniegraham @sophiagreenart @sfwa_artistsgallery @sfcityartgallery @artspansf @sfartsmonthly @sfchronicle #sfartist #sfhearts #contemporaryart #contemporarypainting #digitalart #artonfabric #installationart #contemporaryphotography #portraitphotography #portraitpainting #mixedmedia #assemblageart #sculpture #printmakersofinstagram

Catch a glimpse of this poignant first group exhibition by The Invisibility Collective and invited artists. See “Seen X Unseen” @radiangallery this month and join the artists in conversation on 12/19. @cmtandy @cindyrenee4 @srkirshenbaum @mrlonniegraham @nancywillisart @rhiannonblackandwhite @artbysamira007 @ksawyerrose @sophiagreenart #invisible #seeandbeseen #sfartshow #contemporaryart #contemporarypainting #contentcreator #galleryshows #artcollective #bicoastal #intergenerational #interdisciplinaryart #installationart #videoart #performanceart #artonfabric #groupartshow

A cluster of images from “Seen X Unseen”yesterday at our opening day. Don’t miss the his exhibition! @radiangallery #artstudio #artist #lifedrawing #modeldrawimg #figuredrawing #figurativeartist #virtualdrawing #procreate #digitalartist #drawingbyhand #sfart #sfartist #portraits #artspanartist #artforsale #womendrawingwomen #artmodel #artshowsanfrancisco #invisibility @cmtandy @nancywillisart @art_as_essay @artbysamira007 @rhiannonblackandwhite @bldrman @mary.graham.art @sophiagreenart @sfwa_artistsgallery @sfcityartgallery @artspansf #scupture #installationart #performanceart #ritualart #invisibiltity #seen #unseen

Here’s a tiny snippet of the performance piece I saw a few days ago at ICA. She’s a commanding performer with strong ideas. So happy to have Mary participate in the Invisibility Collective conversations and exhibitions despite her busy CC

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