ART, ART; ART.

It's 2021.10.01 on the lunar calendar today.

On a walk, sets of hand-painted tiger nesting dolls in the little free art gallery in front of a neighbor's house caught my eye. I was racking my brain for a piece of art I could make to trade when my baby sis reminded me that I already have art ready—my "Dream of Home" album! Seeing my album on an easel (pictured) when I passed by next made me beam. I love checking out the local gallery. 

My Jungian recording project is shaping up: I'm making audio sketches, experimenting with new ways of composing, and making concrete plans. I'm taking a remote course from a Jungian analyst, relevant to the project and life in general. It's been an illuminating few weeks. I wonder though if life would be easier if I wasn't constantly interrogating myself 🤨🤪

Artist Fellow

I'm proud to share that I've been awarded the 

California Arts Council's Individual Artist Fellowship

. This means that I'll be given $10K in unrestricted funding and join what is sure to be an inspiring cohort of Established Artist Fellows from across disciplines and across the state.

This marks the agency’s return to directly supporting individual artists in about two decades, since their state budget was slashed by over 90% in 2003. Wild, isn't it? We need more funding for the arts in California!

I'm so looking forward to investing the grant money in my Jung project—hiring some of my favorite people/musicians, getting to make art with friends ❤️

Tomorrow Girls Troop

I'm in the midst of scoring music to videos from the social art collective Tomorrow Girls Troop. It's a project close to my heart, condemning and raising awareness of sexual violence against women globally by recognizing the "Comfort Women" coerced into brothels by the Japanese army during WWII and still waiting to receive full reparations and an acceptable apology.

Tuesday Night

Last week, I played a short set for Tuesday Night Cafe's one-time virtual gathering, livestreamed from Little Tokyo. The Tuesday Night Project is a truly special example of the incredible impact public art can have in communities. I'm already looking forward to their in-person return in April.

Currently reading The Tao of Pooh 🍯It's a charming and provocative little book of giggles and philosophy.