Paws down! The 2nd Annual “Pause” event for Pee Wee’s adoption was a hit!

It was a bright sunny day Saturday and as soon as I got out of work, I rallied up my daughter and our dog, Sadie out to the 2nd Annual Paws event located at Tavern on the Bay hosted by the American Advertising Federation of Corpus Christi.

 The AAF-CC took time out to support Pee Wee’s Pet Adoption World and Sanctuary.

I was looking forward to this event. I read on the facebook event page there were a lot of activities going on like a costume contest and other fun activities. Pee Wee’s also had pets ready to find a new home.  Now while I only made it to the second half of this event it looked like everyone had a great time. Here are some pictures I took while over there.

As I headed to the People’s T-head I was happy to see the PINK all around the downtown marina.

There was still a good crowd scurrying around. Sadie was really excited.

There were big dogs.

There were little dogs.

Several owners were kind enough to let me photograph their furry friends. 

This cutie must have had a lot of treats during the Trick or Treat with your pet activity.

I saw a couple dress up real snazzy!

My daughter and I just loved this one’s costume.

All in all it was a fun time for us and I am so looking forward to the next event!

To the owners of these lovely pets, prints are available for purchase. Please email me at brigitte@bricadena.com

Emotion in art

A work of art which did not begin in emotion is not art. -

Paul Cezanne

 

There are going to be people in the world who may look at your art and not know you on any personal level will not understand

your art. There are going to be artists that you may look at their art and for a moment, may not understand their art.

I think that is ok. I don’t presume to think that the art I create is for the masses. All I create I do it for myself first and

if someone takes notice, looks closely and can relate to something I created that makes me happy.

Throughout time, art was created for all sorts of reasons, to express one’s self. Maybe it was a commission and the patron

liked an artist’s style or technique. But I really think that all art comes from emotions.

I know the moods I am in for every piece of art I have created and I know what put me in that place and what it means to me.

Some techniques come easy and others not so much. But when you look at a piece of art, do you really look at it? Do you dig inside yourself to see what value it could have on you and your own life?

To paint a flower is one thing, to paint a flower that breeds life, love and hope or pain, loss and sorrow is yet another thing.

At least for me, something is stirring inside and it might not even be about me. But I feel it and I need to express it.

So this is what I long to do.

Last night I went to an art show at the Art Museum, there were several things going on in there. I saw a wide variety of art and in particular was a show titled, “The Art of Caring”. This show runs I believe until December. It was both enlightening and heart tugging. It had to do with caring.

The Art of Caring: A Look at Life through Photography is on view at the Art Museum through December 31, 2011

The photos really did tug at me at one point or another. Sometimes the message was not clear at first, you needed to look at it for a bit before you got the jest of it. It was amazing to me that my daughter has such a great eye for art. She would look at the picture and pick up on things I had not even noticed. It is definitely a show to see. There was a couple standing next to me and you could hear the woman

sigh and see her contemplation as she took in a  piece of art as did I and my daughter. So what I am getting at is this is the kind of art I want to create.

 I know that there are times when I am feeling overwhelmed and there is this insatiable hunger for me to put paint to canvas, or pencil to paper and I need to “unload” all that I am feeling and art is that outlet for me. I know afterward, I feel elated, I feel a release. There have been times when I am working through the process and I get to this one point and it’s out there what I am feeling, what I am thinking about an experience or an issue and these issues and experiences are universal. We all have moments of pain, sorrow, loss, love, happiness peace, joy and hope.

For the most part these are all emotions. There is a lot of emotion in art and that is my favorite kind of art. I am able to see the beauty in a piece that might otherwise appear sad or tragic just as easily as those that are happy and cheerful.

It’s a part of life. And I believe that life is art. To me that is beautiful.

Behind every beautiful thing there’s some kinda pain. -Bob Dylan

What do you see when you look at your reflection?

When you look in the mirror, what do you see?

Do you see yourself as you really are? Do you project to yourself an image that you want others to see? Do you see yourself something more or less who you really are?

Reflection’s Kiss by Brigitte Cadena

There are those who see themselves very differently than how others see them.

Then there are those who don’t know how to see the reflection looking back at them and appreciate what they see, much like those women who suffer from bulimia or Anorexia and no matter how much weight they have lost, they can not see that reflection staring back at them all they can see is a “fat” person even when they are weighing 95 lbs.  There are those who have more blind spots and can not see the errors of their ways and continue to consider themselves as superior to everyone else.

They don’t realize that people can see right through all that.

I am quite modest. I know I am a  good photographer, I happen to like my artwork and I also know the areas I need to improve on. I have heard from many artists that they do not like their work, they can have others stand in awe of what they have accomplished yet still they do not see what beauty they created. They will tell me they are not satisfied or they are a perfectionist and they believe they will never be satisfied with what they have done.

How many of us actually do see ourselves the way others see us, good traits or bad traits? How many of us actually feel the confidence see who they are and allow others to really get a closer look?

Artwalker’s DELIGHT! My experience as an Artwalker

It goes without saying, The monthly Artwalk is a great avenue for connecting artists with the public and vise versa. I am a local artist here in Corpus Christi. I have been working as a photographer for a few years now and have become very involved in our city’s monthly event we call Artwalk.

Much of my time has been spent showcasing my artwork over at the House of Rock where several other artists are interconnected through a group we call Coastal Bend Artists..

Well, this past Aartwalk that occurred last Friday, September 30th,  I decided to change things up for myself. I really wanted to branch out and experience this event as an Artwalker.  So I took my camera wanting to document what I saw and let me tell you, I wish I took much more pictures because it was so much fun.  I easily was distracted by the bustle and hustle of the downtown activities. Let’s just say I got so busy enjoying my time there, I almost forgot my original purpose of going as an ArtWALKER.

Because I have been working on the other side, as an artist, I just had no idea all that was happening around me so this was a great experience for me to see what others were seeing.

I got my little map and I set off on my journey to see the festivities,

You can download a copy of this map HERE.

I had several places I KNEW I wanted to check out: Jimmy Willden was performing at the Urban Fare Cafe. I wanted to check out various art venues and see what was going on, so off I went in search of great art music and fun.

The first place I started was near the Water Street Market, The Tree House Collective.

It has a beautiful layout and art all over the walls, I had the pleasure of talking with one of the artists there,  she creates stained glass art and I was so impressed. I know I will have to go back and spend a lot more time checking the art out.

Here is a link to their website for more info on them. Just go HERE.

Right outside there was a band playing in the center and I was excited to see live music outside.

I started walking and right behind Coffee Waves, a new and upcoming cafe there was live painting by Lantz Minatez.

Lantz at work with his creation.

Check out his new FB page Here .  Here is a link to his online gallery http://www.minatus.com/

As I was making my way to Urban Fare Cafe, I bumped into Augustine Garcia, sitting outside of Threads.

This is a great new shop that not only offers vintage clothing for men and woman, but on the weekends, Threads holds regular shows awith live music and art shows.  I recently participated in an artshow the was jam packed full of artists and live music. Check them out!

This is where I met Augustine. We talked for a bit and he was showcasing his girlfriends vintage jewelry -LOCK & THISTLE.  You can see more jewelry Here.

Right next door is Urban Fare Cafe on Williams Street.

If you haven’t been there, YOU NEED to. My current favorites are the Chicken Pesto Sandwich & Pita chips and their Thai Curry Rice Bowl and I could go on and on about their cheescake.  All I can say it that it is DIVINE.

Uban Fare Cafe not only serves great food and offers a great atmosphere, his walls are adorned with awesome art by local artists available for sale. I will let you in on something…I have a piece hanging there as well. Go have a bite to eat, enjoy the atmosphere, TRY their bite-sized cheesecakes desserts! Check out their page HERE

It was packed full of people and the music of Jimmy Willden resonated throughout. It was actually my first time listening to him and it was a highlight of my artwalk. Be on the lookout for this guy, He is definitely going somewhere with this. Find out more about him HERE 

After I enjoyed some great music, I was anxious to see what was going on at La Retama park.

Well on my way over there as I was crossing Schatzel street, there was music that was getting louder and louder as I got nearer. I looked to my right to see a band playing outside and it just drew me in. I had to go check it out.

People were crowded around the band playing and across the street. I didn’t know who the band was at that moment but I saw a sign saying GRAND OPENING.  GoGo Vintage Resale

I came back later to get a closer look and it’s this cool vintage store that just opened up downtown with a cool vibe going on. People were lining up to go in and it was like a big party all over. I realized it belonged to my new friend Natalie Lara who I also met at the Threads art show I was in a few weeks ago.  She told me later on  the bands that were playing that night were called, Los Sanchos, her own band, Ick vulnik and Space Fuzz.

Well I started back off to Retama Park. There was a lot to do and see and hear! Downtown Corpus Christi               was full of life!

This is the main central point of Artwalk. There are arts and crafts and activities for everyone to enjoy.

I saw my good friend Laurette Escobar from the Coastal Bend Artists with a table sponsored by the House of Rock, She was there selling her cute masks and next to her was Al Molina  another extremely talented artist who shows regularly at the House of Rock with other Coastal Bend Artists.

This is where you can see the Coastal Bend Artist’s page, just go Here

This is Al, seeling prints of his work to Artwalker’s. Go see his awesome paintings!

After I visited with them a bit, I walked around some more and saw this guy painting. He is from Tipsy Canvas, his name is Anthony Deleon and we had a great conversation about art and how much Artwalk has grown. This is a painting where he gets other people involved, each person paints a part and at the end of the evening, someone is lucky enough to win this great piece.

The Tipsy Canvas site is HERE

On the other side of the park is the pick up and drop off of the Tram that takes people en route to other venues in the area with events that are happening.

There is HOBO singing along on the Tram. Wherever the Tram takes you, they are there to entertain you.

I headed off to Starr street when I walked into Flannagan’s.  I saw Carlos Garcia  doing some live painting, yet another very talented artist.

There was so much more that I had not gotten to see, as the sun was setting I set out back to Retama park to check out the movie that night, there were kids playing hula hoops, people were all over and I just know NEXT Month is going to just as fun if not more! I truly enjoyed my time as an artwalker. I know you will to, so check your calendars and plan to come downtown to our fun filled weekend of art-music and fun!

To find out more about our monthly weekend event please go to the Artwalkcc website. There is a lot more to come!

This blog is brought to you by Bricadena Art . Check out my art page and “LIKE” it for more info on ART in the City!

Brigitte Cadena

2011

All is art if you look close enough

The moment one gives close attention to anything, even a blade of grass, it becomes a mysterious, awesome, indescribably magnificent world in itself.  – Henry Miller

I have been doing photography for many years. It was one of my favorite classes in high school. I still remember when I got my very own first 35 mm camera. It was my most prized possession, (before I had my kids).  I took pictures of everything. The possibilities were limitless.

I didn’t realize over the years that the lens would lend itself to train my eyes to see the world differently, to see life differently.

Everyone loves the saying, “Slow down to smell the roses” but how often do we really do that? How often do we stop and look, stop and reflect at just how wonderous our world is.

It’s easy to take for granted the beautiful blue sky when you are running late for work and your stuck in a traffic jam and road rage is all around.

After many years I finally decided to take my love of photography to a different level. I decided I wanted to do this professionally, artistically. I just wanted to share with others what I see. It started with looking back at all the photos I had taken in the past. I realized that a lot of them were really good and there was a reason why I took that shot.

I knew I would need to go digital and so I did. I have probably shot more than 8,000 pictures since then. I had an old friend who teased me and would say, “Brigitte, what haven’t you taken a picture of?”  I had taken pictures of everything I could find interesting in the city. At some art shows I have been asked, where I travel to, for the photos I have showcased. I simply reply that I don’t travel, it’s all taken here, with the exception of some favorites in Chicago.  I started trying to figure out what else I could take pictures of (of course there are still so many things I could use for a subject). I decided to look closer, dig deeper and realized a valuable truth. It is true to me at least.

As I am venturing into other forms of art, using different mediums to express myself I realize that all is art to me.  It all depends on how you look at it.

These are some pictures I have taken of very small objects or a subject where I was up close and personal. I hope it will open your eyes to the small things in life that deserve to be appreciated.

 

Featured Artist: Jimmy Pena

Name:Jimmy Pena
City/State:Corpus Christi, Texas
Email:jimmy@jimmypenaart.org
Website:www.jimmypenaart.org

The first time I heard about Jimmy Pena was in 2010, he was to do a talk in my first art class, drawing I, with Ben Herrera. I, unfortunately missed that day because one of my kids had a doctor’s appointment. All I knew about him was that he was a local artist who made a living creating art and he was very talented. I regret that I had not been there for the talk. As I submersed myself into the local art scene, his name would pop up time and again. I remembered my instructor talking about a technique he used with charcoal on wood. I LOVE charcoal so that intrigued me immensely. I knew I would want to meet him one day and learn about his career in art.

I sent him a friend request on facebook, we did have some mutual friends and he was gracious enough to add me. Time went on and I finally asked him if he would participate in my new art blog by doing an interview with me. He accepted and I was thrilled. I met him at his studio at Kspace, he was very kind and forthright and treated me as if we had been friends forever.  I highly respect his work as an artist and now meeting him, I am a bigger fan than I was before.

He has been in numerous art shows from Delmar’s National Small Drawing and Sculpture show, The Art Center and other galleries in San Antonio, Austin, Houston and  San Angelo. During the course of our interview, I realized this is a man with a natural born talent in art that had venues and organizations  seek him out. It was a pleasure to conduct this interview and I learned a lot about art and the  art field just by listening to him. So here he is.

How did you get into the art field?

I have been creating art all my life. I thought everyone did it. When I was in fifth grade and on I wanted to be a football player. I really loved sports, I played high school football, I was in track. My mom was a nervous wreck about it. Well in the ninth grade I had a knee injury and then in the tenth grade I injured my other knee. (He pointed to his knees to show me the scars from the two knee surgeries he underwent.) I was crushed that my athletic career was over at that point. Art was always there. I would carry my drawing pad everywhere with me.

If I was in a place where I did not know anyone, I would pull my pad out and draw. I was known as the kid with the drawing pad. I was known as the ‘artist kid’. When I was fourteen I did a portrait for a friend. For school functions I always volunteered for any artwork they needed.

When did you start showing your work professionally, at what point in your career did you feel it was time to put your artwork in the public eye?

Well, I ended up dropping out of high school my senior year. My father worked at the refinery and I knew I had a job there. I worked there for some time but I was not happy, I didn’t want to grow old doing this kind of work. After I worked there, I ended up working as a bartender at a night clup that was really popular at the time. I had a lot of fun there, I think I had too much fun and I realized this was not what I wanted.

After that I joined the Army and there I was with my portfolio always in hand. I was stationed in Germany and the job I was assigned to had mistakenly been filled by someone else. I realized at that time while I would be there I would end up being the “gofor” doing what odd jobs were assigned to me. I did not want that so I convinced my first Sgt.  to allow me to do a mural in the mess hall. Everyone liked it but at the same time, it was difficult because I was only a private but I was given a key to the mess hall, I was able to set my own hours and so others were not happy about that. When I was stationed somewhere else I was able to do another mural for the Army. I did a total of 3 murals in different places I was stationed at.

Wow, that is quite a feat. What happened when you got out of the Army?

After the army I did odd jobs. I had a friend of mine, Ben Wright, he was my mentor at that time. He got me a gig doing a mural outside of what is now known as the Surf Club. I offered to do this mural for free because I was trying to get some exposure for myself as an artist.  Well there was a disagreement regarding the payment for the installation of the panels and it did not work out. It stayed up unfinished but this was the piece of artwork that got me a commission to do a mural with La Pesca Restaurant that used to be downtown.

Wow, this reminds me of Michelangelo, was it hard to paint the ceiling?

(He nodded yes) I then asked him how long it took to complete. He stated about eight months.

He went on to talk about earlier times.

At 28 years old, I was diagnosed with Rhuemitoid Arthritis. It was a very difficult 10 years for me as I grew depressed over this. I was not seriously pursuing art at that time.

Then in 1994, it was the passing of my brother that pulled me out of depression to move forward with my art. It was a year after my brother passed away, I started painting again and my first painting was “From the depths and towards the light”, It was not actually of my brother but the painting was a lot about him.

That is amazing. Ok so who is your favorite artist?

Well I took art in high school. I really learned a lot from the masters, DaVinci, Michelangelo and others. Since I did  not get formal education as in an art degree, everything I learned was from imitation. I feel fortunate to have so many friends who do have degrees in art and I have learned a lot from them. I see myself appreciating a more abstract form of art as I grow.

What types of art do you prefer?

I like all kinds of art. I remember when I was fourteen years old, I wanted to learn to paint with oil and I did that for a bit but I eventually went back to acrylics. This is a painting I did when I was about fourteen or fifteen years old.

How impressive, it looks just like a picture!  Ok can you tell me what is your ‘method’ do you have a routine you follow when you start working on creating an art piece?

Here is it, Wake up, I have to have my coffee, take the dog for walk.  Then I head over to my studio and work about  4-5 hours a day. There are times when I will listen to the same song over and over because it fits the mood I am in for that particular piece.

As far as mediums and supplies, there was a time when I did not have materials and so I went to the back of my studio and picked up a piece of wood and started working on it.

I had wondered how that came about using wood in the way you do.

Yes, I found it to be a good canvas to work on, I also like to add newspaper clippings to my artwork to have the piece say more what it is about. In the beginning I was using newspaper as just another material and then I realized I could use the text such as the headlines as another element to the piece to express more, what I wanted to say.

Can you give me an example?

Confounded

This piece was inspired in 2008 from the Mortgage and Loan crisis that was going on back then. I actually did this in 2009. I remember this image flashed through my head and I couldn’t get it out of my head. So I got some models and I had my references, and then I used headlines in the newspapers  as the skin of the figures.

At times I feel an obligation to myself to get these ideas out or to acknowledge what others are feeling. This piece fills in the gaps of the questions I feel were being asked about this situation.

Detail of Confounded by Jimmy Pena

I have to admit when I got a closer look at the piece and the detail with the words on the text, it moved me.

Can you tell us about one of your most favorite pieces of work or work you are most proud of?

I have been asked that question before, so I am going to tell you what I told them, the piece that I am working on is the one I am most proud of.

When did you first discover your creative talents?

Actually before I learned to write, I was drawing pictures.

Did you have a lot of crayons as a child?

No, didn’t like crayons too much, they were not sharp enough, not crisp enough.

What inspires you to keep going and how do you keep yourself motivated?

I have come to realize lately that a lot of what motivates me is what pisses me off. I guess you could say it is a form of therapy and there is usually something I feel needs to be said when I come up with a concept for a piece of art. I am finding that sometimes, nothing needs to be said as well.

Being an artist can be a challenge at tmes, who would you say has been a great source of support in your pursuit of a career in art?

The year after I got back from the ARMY, I met my future wife, Linda. She has encouraged and supported all of my efforts. We will be celebrating our 26th anniversary in October.

Oh that is wonderful! Well congratulations to both you and your wife.

Thank you.

How will you describe your style?

Hyper realism but I try to add a different element with what I am trying to say. I want to create art that is different.

I remember when I was in kindergarten, our teach wanted to hold an art contest. So she told everyone to draw a picture and at the end of the class we would all vote on who had the best picture. I looked around at my classmates and all the other kids were drawing those box style houses and a tree or windows and I thought to myself, ‘I don’t want to draw whatever everyone else is drawing. I want to be different.

So I took my pencil and started drawing circles and just doodle all over my page. When I realiezed I could see some recognizable shapes I used my colors to color them in. I saw a foot here and something else there. So that is what I did.

Then at the end of the class we were all called up in groups of 4 or 5 to stand in front of the class holding out our art. The teacher would hover her hand over our head and the rest of the class were instructed to clap to the degree that they liked the art piece. All the kids got some claps here and there, and then when the teacher put her hand over my head, everyone fell silent. (He laughed about it) I had no one clap for me but to this day I am still this way, I want to do something different and unique to me.

Any influences or anyone you look up to when it comes to designing?

I think of Picasso, I was not a big fan of his work at first but what I did like about him is that he would get bored and would venture out and try new mediums, new techniques, he was evolving all the time and I see myself going in that direction as well.

Tell me about Kspace, how did you get here?

It was the late 90′s and Kspace was already established. In 1990, one of the founder’s of Kspace, her name is Rachelle and I met during a commission I had with the Museum of Science and History. I was working on mural art piece there, and she was there. We became aquaintances. Then several years later, I received a phone call and it was Rachelle, she invited me to be a guest artist at the annual open house, a show they were having.

The night of the show, it was packed, probably about five hundred people. There was a woman trying to reach me during the show. She ended up offering to be my patron and pay for my studio space. I was flattered and took her up on it. I could not afford to rent the space back then so this helped a lot.

She eventually wanted to commission me to do a portrait of her and her husband, she was very specific to how she wanted it done. I would have done it for free because of her generosity but she insisted she wanted to pay me for it. So I worked on this portrait for three months. Well after I provided the portrait she stopped paying for the studio rental, I had to call her a couple of times to collect payment and well after that the relationship turned sour. I decided that I would figure out how to secure the studio rent from there on out and here I am. Regardless of all this,  Kspace changed my life.

Tell me about your work? What are you currently working on?

It is titled “Worship this”. It has to do with our economy and the BP oil spills. I still remember when one of the spokesperson who was addressing the crisis on television he said, “and to all the little people, we are sorry.” Well that sounded to me exactly what this piece is about.

Detail on Worship This by Jimmy Pena

What was the best advice given to you as an artist?

(He laughed to himself) then he said, “My friend Ben Wright and I were talking and I started telling him about this great idea I had for an art piece. He looked at me and said, ‘Hey, don’t tell me about it, just DO it!”

What can we expect to see from you in the future?

I am really interested in working with photography and sculptures that I am working on. Some of my pieces take a very long time to complete and I looking at other materials to create something unique but also consider the time it takes to create it.

Lastly, any words of advice for aspiring designers/artists?

Do it because you love it and be yourself. Stay humble. Competition is not always a great thing. Do what makes you happy.

Why I love Art and Artwalk Corpus Christi

I still remember as a young girl writing poetry when I was still in eighth grade. It was a way for my to express myself. I don’t remember as much taking art classes, except I do remember making a little vase and then using the inside of a cardboard with it’s ridges and making a patterned print that looked like a checkerboard.

In high school, because I loved to write I took a couple of journalism classes. It was fun, challenging and exciting to be involved in the school newspaper. My photography class was amazing and so much fun. I loved having a way to express my thoughts and ideas in a way other than speaking out.

When I was nineteen, I moved to Chicago and lived there for several years. What I loved about being in this great city was the culture it offered from the music festivals to the Art museum and the bustle of a big city.

That is what I miss the most about living there. I remember living in an up and coming neighborhood that occupied a lot of artists in the south side. It was an August afternoon and I went to the neigborhood’s “Artist’s Open House”.

It was a yearly event where the artist’s who lived in the community would open up their doors and let you walk freely into their homes (their studios) and check out their work. These were older buildings that were rich in detail and artistic flair. It has been said that the artists move into a (lower income neighborhood), they jazz up their place with their creativity and then the property values would rise and everyone would follow.

I was selling real estate for a short while later and that area was a hot place, everyone wanted a piece of it.

Now, it is a thriving and wonderful place to live and hang out.

I was talking with Alan Albin, a contact for the artwalk when I went to deliver my art piece for the September art prize draw. I told him him that Artwalk reminds me of my time in Chicago when I could breathe in all the culture and diversity of the city.  I even said, “Why I didn’t take up drawing back then when I lived there is beyond me”.

Like I mentioned, I loved to write and I loved to take photographs. I never considered myself an artist. I only started to draw in 2008 and realized that I wasn’t all that bad.

Back to Artwalk, when I see people walking around downtown Corpus Christi and I see new venues open up, I see life being breathed into our city.  Artwalk is an activity that you can participate with your friends and your family and it offers you a second set of eyes.

What I mean is as you go to the different venues where artists are sharing their work with you, you are given an opportunity to see life differently through someone else’s eyes. Look at the wide variety of art displayed by our local artists and you will take something back with you when you leave.

Art is important because it was one of the first forms of communication we had from 25,000 years ago. It was the carvings in the caves that gave future generations a glimpse of what was going on before them.

After a long day at work what are some things that relax you or help you unwind? Music? or a movie? Where did that come from if not for the creativity of artists? I support the Artwalk because to me it is something fun you can do with your friends, your family and your kids.

So come downtown this Friday, September 30th around 5:30 and enjoy all that the Artwalk has to offer.