The Art of Glass: Google Glass Exploration Begins!

June 26-27, 2013

Yesterday, I had the privilege of being escorted by beautiful, happy, young Bay Area employees of Google, on my first "Google Glass Adventure".  It was the best day of the week, having been sunny and hot after two days of rain in both Marin and San Francisco.  There was a great, cool breeze on the water, but not so much to make you cold enough to need a jacket.  Perfect day.  I arrived at the Embarcadero with enough time to wander the shops.

It was the day that SCOTU struck down the Defense of Marriage Act and vacated the ban on same-sex marriage in California.  Many of my friends were in SF waiting to hear the results, and in general, it was a special day for a lot of folks in all of the Bay Area.  I have a lot of gay friends, and many of them are already married, but today was really special because it finally said that we are all human beings and we all have rights no matter who we love.  This is an amazing time to be alive-- not only do we have equality in marriage and women "Leaning In"... but we have Google Glass to record these amazing new chapters.

As I was marveling at the beauty in this day and all that had happened thus far, I headed out to the secret pier we were told to meet for the Google Glass fitting.  My adventure began at 4:30pm, and we departed by motorboats with pontoons and a below cabin area for storage.  There were 5 Google Explorers in our boat, and 3 assistants to help us get to our next location.  Note here that all the employees and boat crew were already wearing Glass with the polarized shade attachment.  It was an entire Glass operation, from the moment we met at the pier, all the way back, Google Glass was being worn by all.

The boat ride took us under the Bay Bridge and across the Bay to Alameda.  There was a bus waiting to meet us at the next location!  The bus and more helpful Glass staff took us to the building where we would receive our Glass.  Not only Google Glass, but glasses of champagne, heirloom tomatoes, festive white lights, music and beautiful young people dressed in clean, matching GAP-like, uber-casual Friday fashions.  It was the Google version of the Apple Store, but somehow pumped up a notch, with all the employees wearing colorful Glass computer headgear and being super hip and helpful.  I think my guest and I may have felt a little bit old in this environment, but they all made me want to fit in.  I surely wanted to be one of these shiny, happy people with Glass.

Yes!  It was cool to be an explorer.  I'm in!  Sure, I'm 45 and a single-mom, but I can pretend I'm 30 again, and but for a few wrinkles around the eyes and my not so 30-something body... well, I really do look 30.  Yes, I am ready to start over with Glass!  (For all those 20-somethings out there, who have no clue how quickly you will be older, these are the thoughts we think at 45, when life is starting to feel like it's moving too fast in the wrong direction.)

From the moment I signed up to pick up Glass (having been selected as one of the 8,000 tweets to get to Alpha-test this device) it has been a clandestine, and fun journey.  Having had three contract jobs in the last three months, I wondered how this would financially come to fruition, but magically, it all worked out.  Just to remind those who are big time planners out there, this moment never could have been planned.  I worked very hard to stay employed, and I spend a lot of time sharing with friends and others that care about art, cycling and the Bay Area on Twitter.  These are the reasons I am here writing for you today.  I tweeted to Google that I wanted to use Glass to record cycling shots from my bike for use in my paintings.

Riding a bike, we see a lot of colorful people and shapes pass by us, but don't have time to stop the bike and pull out a camera.  I thought that Glass could help me to capture these brief but fantastic moments that I can only have in my memory for less than a second.  Inspired by this new way of seeing things, I believed it would only inspire my art in a new way.  Here is the start of my journey.  Please follow along as I learn about Glass and work to use it in my art, and hopefully in the art of others in my community.  I would like to also feature other local artists while I am testing Glass, so if you are reading this and are in the Bay Area and would like to be interviewed through Glass, send me a note below in my comments.  Click the thumbnails, below, to view more from the Google Glass Fitting.  My next post will be about the pros and cons of Glass as it is right now, including photos taken by my 11 year old twins.  Stay tuned...

Google Glass Fitting, a set on Flickr.

The Art of Sophia Collier: Sound Waves to Form

Detail of "Dark Water", Carved acrylic ©2013 Sophia Collier

Sophia Collier is a Sausalito-based artist who works with computers, sound and enormous machines to create minimalistic art forms. It is a very complex process designed to achieve such a simple form we can find in nature, but once you see the results, it is highly impressive and there is vast beauty in the light and space art she is creating. Collier's original desire was to create a piece of water at a precise moment of time, similar to the way a painter recreates a landscape painting. However, to do this, Collier uses sound waves that she has hand selected; she uses their form to model the waves in the sculpture works. This allows her to sample sounds from anything or any time, past or present.

Collier's latest project is a collaborative work in which she is asking those residing along the Grand River in Michigan to share sounds and samples with her online. Collier will then select from this pool of sounds to create her piece that will be displayed at GRAM (Grand Rapids Art Museum) September 2013 in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  It is always enjoyable for me to learn more about how we can collaborate as artists. When I attended CalArts, the Contemporary Music Composition students would frequently collaborate with the Experimental Animation students. It was a terrific way for them to learn how to film score and create dramatic and unique works they may not have normally aspired to create.

Want to participate or have a friend or family member in Michigan to share this with?  There are several ways to participate:

•  Visit Urban Remix and record/upload sounds online or via free phone app.  Urban Remix is a project conceived of and is directed by Jason Freeman, Michael Nitsche, and Carl Disalvo, who are professors at the Georgia Institute of Technology, in Atlanta, Georgia. It is made possible by the invaluable work of numerous students and designers, and supported in part by the Music Technology program, the Digital Media program, and the GVU center at Georgia Tech.

•  Upload a sound with Soundcloud online (or record sounds with soundcloud app via phone)please click the Soundcloud button here and join the group!


•  Download the Soundcloud apps for free here, and record sounds from your iPhone or iPad).

•  Share a Youtube video or other method of sharing captured sounds.  For this method, please email Sophia here.  Thanks for checking out this new project! -Colleen
Sophia Collier in the Studio from Sophia Collier on Vimeo

The Art & Colors of Nutmeg (in Nicasio)

Joanne of the Nutmeg Shop, Nicasio, CA, originally uploaded by cproppe.

Nutmeg shop, Nicasio (click to view the full photo set on Flickr)

I had the pleasure of meeting both Joanne Sollecito and Ruby Hackney today in their new "Vintage Farmhouse Chic" shop on the Square in Nicasio, California. Ruby is a mother of two with an amazing design sense and flair for merchandising. The color spots she had created in the shop were so enjoyable, and the found mason jar flower displays were unique and fun. I loved being there, and didn't want to leave!

I was sent to the shop by Liz Daniels, proprietor of Cow Track Ranch, where I had been with the group "Art on the Farm" today for plein air painting.  Liz was raving about Ruby and Joanne's place and telling me I should bring my paintings there for them to sell... that would be great!  Local art would do very well there, as it is located right next to Druid's Hall where the annual MALT art show and exhibit is held each year.  Rancho Nicasio has a series of summer concerts on the lawn that are lots of fun.  Joanne and I started talking about coffee on the Square, and how that would be the next shop needed for all the passing summer cyclists.  Having just taken a brief nap with the cows myself at Cow Track, as the fog rolled in and it got windy and unpredictably cold, I was definitely ready for my afternoon caffeine assist before driving the winding roads home.

Just down the road from Nutmeg is Nicasio Valley Cheese Company and the LaFranchi Ranch, home of the west Marin pumpkin patch.  Lucky for me, they were having a special today, 2 for 1 on Foggy Morning and Foggy Morning with Basil... yum!

I'm sure it won't be long before the MarinIJ and Marin Magazine snap up the story of this new opening... I suggest they do a "Mother and Daughter" businesses of Nicasio story, since Liz Daniels and daughter, Melissa are now operating a B&B and "Real Weddings" venue at Cow Track. The new website by Melissa is terrific, with lots of photos.

Get out and enjoy Nicasio!

In the Studio Today... The Art of a Surfing Lesson

Bolinas Surfing Lesson, a set on Flickr.

My son had his first surfing lesson this weekend with one of his school teachers, who also happens to run a special surfing camp for kids out in Bolinas, California. Natalie runs the Resource Room at Wade Thomas School, is a mom and an amazingly talented surfer. Blake had the best weekend in a long time, and slept really well. I am so happy for him, and we love Natalie. We highly recommend her for anyone that wants a one-on-one surfing lesson for their child in the Bay Area.  Visit her website at spectrumsurfcamps.org for more info.  She teaches kids both on and off the spectrum, so don't let that deter you!  Here is a great video that shares Natalie's dream for her camp and special needs kids.

Mission Murals by Philz's Coffee, San Francisco

Mission Murals by Philz's Coffee, San Francisco, originally uploaded by cproppe.

Had to share just one more from today's visit to the Mission to see the murals .... This is right next to famous Philz's coffee on 24th; the line was out the door, so I did not partake, but I will go back. The boys loved the colorful grafitti art next door. Excellent colors! To learn all about Balmy Alley + the Mission murals, read all about our visit in my previous post, here.  To see all our mural pics on Flickr,  click here!

In the Studio Today... Mission Murals

April 27-28, 2013

What a wonderful Saturday field trip to San Francisco with my sons!  Wow!  We have "Viva el Espanol" to thank for a fun, delicious, colorful and educational day in the Mission district of San Francisco.  My sons have been taking after school Spanish classes with Viva el Espanol this year, and they have offered some great trips you could attend outside of the program.  This one was excellent!

We met at 9:30am at el restaurante "Sunrise" where the boys were helped to order their breakfast en espanol.  "Qué quieres comer?"   "Yo quiero comer huevos al gusto y jugo haranga"!  Aidan ordered "Chocolate caliente and panqueques".  This was fun and delicioso!

Next, we walked as a group and stopped in "Balmy Alley" which is an entire alley painted with murals, one dating back to the 1970's.  You can spend a while here.  Definitely worth a trip just to see this one spot!  Pictured to the right here and below, you can see my son, Aidan, snapping photos of the brightly colored, aztec designs at the entrance to Balmy Alley.  These five colorful panels at the entrance from 24th Street are called "Five Sacred Colors of Corn" by Susan Cervantes and Mia Gonzalez

Read more about the vibrant tradition of mural painting in San Francisco in this SF Gate article from 2009: http://www.sfgate.com/bayarea/article/History-culture-mix-in-vibrant-Mission-murals-3163036.php#ixzz2RmPFdDgF

The colors are incredible, and the kids just loved this walk.  Each of the scenes is very meaningful and we did not have time to discuss the deeper issues addressed in the imagery with the young kids, but this would be a great trip for any group of older kids or adults too.  The Precita Eyes Mural Arts building is on 24th Street, and they have tours of the murals and self guided info you can pick up inside as well.

Continuing down Balmy Alley, we saw some really powerful work addressing themes of Latin American heritage, political struggles and people.  Really beautifully rendered and detailed images that convey a sense of community and importance of self in this neigborhood.  There is obviously a sense of great pride here, and I imagine those who live in the buildings here must embrace their artsy and popular location(unless the screaming and excited tour groups of kids drive them crazy...).

"Indigenous Eyes" ©1991 by Susan Cervantes

I love this one with the hands and eyes.

 

My sons thought this one was very crazy-- Looks like a transformer is destroying the city, but it is very cute and cartoony at the same time.  Amazing artist and unique style.

 

This is Blake with one of the teacher's from the Spanish School.  She was showing him the collage and mixed media wall here.  It had a picture of LEGOS, which of course drew the attention of my sons immediately.

Spanish teachers (Viva el Espanol) walk by "Mission Makeover" by Lucia Ippolito & Tiso Araiza
Click here to learn more about Lucia and her mural project that was created in 2012 on YouTube

Pictured above is a detail from "Mission Makeover", a mural created in 2012 by Lucia Ippolito and friends.  After watching Lucia's videos on YouTube about her mural and work, I appreciate the work even more.  I remember the feelings I had as a twenty year old artist, and my art was much more political and questioning in nature than it has been today.  I think it is important for our youth to question what we are going through in these changing times, and how technology affects us, our ability to be social people and work together.  I understand the image of the zippered scull and Lucia's comment on social media.  Hopefully, we teach our children to live balanced lives in which they get out and play in the beautiful alley's of the world, educate themselves with real life experiences, and breathe fresh air... as well as letting them learn online.  My 11 year old sons absolutely loved walking though the Mission and did not want to leave... hence our $72. parking ticket.  I believe that if we teach our children of all cultures from a young age, they will embrace all people and love art of all kinds.  Lucia's message today may not be what she feels years from now... but this is art-- we share the moment, and it is our privilege to do so in freedom.

 This image seemed to tell a story of fire, volcano or war destroying land, and family leaving together.  The color palette was absolutely beautiful and incredible to view.  Simply gorgeous work.  The details of the lava river or fire are emotional; flames shaped like tears are just beautifully done.  Look!

To view more amazing photos from today,
please visit my Flickr uploads, here.  Gracias!

Crossing the Chasm: My Lean in Story!

"Crossing the Chasm", oil on canvas, 18" x 24" ©2013 C.Proppé

April 13, 2013

Life is moving along and the presence of motivation with execution of my desires is HIGH.  Motivation to visit San Francisco and explore new places, motivation to revisit old friends and a gather them with new ones, motivation to find new, meaningful work and help others, motivation to provide the best life for my sons, and motivation to add true meaning to my paintings (rather than just recreate a moment in time plein air work).  I am a logotherapist's dream.  Go, girl!

So, I share with you the latest painting (above) that will be present at the Marin Open Studios 2013 opening Gala on April 27, 2013, from 5-8pm.  This painting is something a bit new for me, but I am embracing the challenge.  I have hit a turning point in my life, where I will soon be "leaning in" and raising my sons as a single mom(which is going to be a great thing, after too many years of waffling with the decision).  I have also recently separated from a job where I really enjoyed the work.  So much change at once is really exciting, and has lead me to come up with new ideas for my art.  I have always wanted to create art that provides a vision or a statement, not just a representation of a moment in time.  The problem for me is that when I have done this in the past, I have never liked the results.  At Colby, I recall painting a still-life that was supposed to be all about the life of Sylvia Plath.  I remember painting open medication bottles, a Bell Jar, and an open oven door, all in a kitchen setting... it was awful.  I don't know what happened to that painting, but someone might have liked it.  My attempts in undergraduate and graduate art programs to illustrate things that I was not drawing from directly were weak, in my opinion, and I believe this has kept me working as a plein air artist and one who copied from nature or photos in the studio.  This painting (above) is a comment on my place in the world, and a new method of painting for me.

I have had a photograph of a cyclist crossing the bridge for months now, but I have been frustrated with my painting because I want to reach a point where I don't paint every single detail I see before me, and I focus on something I really want the painting to be about.  "Crossing the Chasm" finally hits the mark for me, because the photo had so much more detail that I really liked, but it is not what I wanted to convey... so I left out the extra details, such as the lights on the bridge and the 45 mile per hour speed limit sign (I may eventually paint another one with these details, but I am happy with the results of this simpler version).  The title comes from a book written in 1991 about marketing high tech to the mainstream market.  I have been reinventing myself and taking training classes to improve my own design skills this month, and this marketing title intrigued me.  I was also brought to the attention of an amazing book by a local educator, Charles Sheppard.  "Save Your Drama for Your Mama" will assist businesses and individuals to learn leadership skills.  The combination of learning so much about marketing, reading Sheppard's new book, revisiting Victor Frankl's classic, and being in the current place and time in my life to receive all this input, have launched me in a new direction with my painting and life.  I painted the road green in order to speak to "green technologies" and green paths of transportation(such as cycling).  I also added the long hair to the cyclist and tried to make it look like a female cyclist, when the image I was using was actually male.  I am working on change and leading myself to greener pastures.

I love learning and growing... and here I go!  Lean in!  (check out Leanin.org for great, inspiring stories by women that have been appearing online along with the launch of the new book).

Update: May 19, 2015
It's amazing to look back on this post and see how differently my life has moved in two years. I pursued my interest in packaging design and have really enjoyed the work. Meanwhile, I have painted less, and been okay with it. I feel like I am in a great place of gathering inspiration and will be happy to integrate my fine art into the equation when I am ready. As you can see from the link on the left, I actually did go back and update the painting with the details. I added the 45 on the Bridge, the lights and the tiny circles from the bolts all along the base. I still own this painting and it is significant to me because I painted it when I was 45 years old and was seeking to separate myself from my sons' father.  Although I have not been able to do so financially just yet due to the housing costs in Marin, I have been able to successfully co-parent with my sons' father for 2 years now.  We share a house, and share our children, but we do not do things together as a family.  It is still hard, but it is better for the kids because the time they have with one parent is more peaceful, with no arguing or frustrations.  They have one person to guide them, and not conflicting messages.  This works for us.  Whatever you need to do to parent children is important, and I believe we have improved things immensely for our kids by finding a way to co-parent.  I still miss having someone to really love, but I love myself more.  I have the best dog in the world, and I love my kids and my friends.  I feel better than I have in the past because I am not angry at my sons' father for not being able to be someone he is not.  I don't see him as "my partner" or "my spouse", but simply, "the father of my sons" who is trying to do his best for them in his own way.  There will be a time when I can move on and find a better match for myself, but for now, co-parenting has been really a blessing.  Learning to work with people you don't always like or relate to is a very important lesson in life.  We have to do it at work, and in business, so if I can do it at home it will only make me a better businesswoman and life partner for someone else someday.  Life goes on.  We keep the wheels rolling!