"Kohaku River," watercolor, 11x19"
My two contributions to the Miyazaki Spirit show, which opened at the new Sketchpad Gallery over the weekend. A few months ago, I was privileged to be contacted by Time Beards, the show's curators, to exhibit at an exciting new space alongside a pile of illustration and design talent from my little Bay Area 'scene' and beyond!
In-progress shots for "Shishigami Forest"
The lineup also included work by by Luke Harrington, Craig Drake, Tracie Ching, Nicholas Kole, Kevin Wilson, Malisa Suchanya, Krystal Lauk, Brynn Metheney, Patrick O'Keefe, Chris Koehler, Jacob Magraw, and Jeany Ngo. Eventually, the show received a few high-profile write-ups on various pop culture blogs.
In-progress shots for "Kohaku River"
In no time, the list of attendees shot up into the thousands. Despite the inclement weather, San Franciscans and non-locals alike stood in lines that wound down long city blocks for up to three hours, but none were turned away, and none left disappointed. Estimates topped out at about ten thousand approximate visitors to the gallery over the weekend. The response has been so overwhelming that the gallery owners have decided to host another opening for the weekend of March 12th in order to meet demand.
Ft. fellow artists Patrick O'Keefe, Malisa Suchanya (as Kiki), and Jeany Ngo (as San)
Many of the original pieces have already sold, as well as some of the limited edition poster prints that were available on site, but remaining prints will be available on the gallery’s website once the show is over.
Personally, this has been hands-down the most insane response to an art-related event that I’ve never seen, and I am tremendously grateful to have even been remotely involved!