Blog Archives - TERRANCE GRAVEN

TERRANCE GRAVEN

ARTIST's WAY MEETING: WEEK 6

9/29/2015

Recovering a Sense of Abundance

This week's theme was about money. I completed 5 Morning Pages, completed 2 Artist Dates, and completed one of the chapter exercises. The one that really struck a chord was "My dad thought money was ______."

Another exercise asked what one loves to do and I fantasized about renting my own small shop in Japantown that sells finely designed ball-jointed dolls with a maid cafe. The other dream was to open MoDaD, the Museum of Death and Dying.

STUDIO WORK

9/29/2015

Today I made a major hike to Bernal Heights park to collect branches for my upcoming installation. My goal is to have 50 branches with a couple for practice. They were heavy so I ended up with just 10 branches. Strangely there was an empty black frame leaning against a stump, so I took a self portrait photo. I will visit the park every week.

ARTIST DATE

9/28/2015

Today I visited my artist friend, Sarah A. Smith who is completing an installation that promises to be incredible! She showed me behind the scenes and it peaked my interest in applying to show work there. I was also surprised to see the inverted torch piece because I'm working on an installation piece using inverted torches too!

ARTIST DATE

9/24/2015

Today I visited Japantown for my weekly Artist Date. I had hoped to review Ryo Yoshido's book on Ball-Jointed Dolls, but they were sold out. Instead, I looked at a Japanese art book and then went off to play one of my favorite video games Pop'n Music.

ARTist's WAY MEETING: WEEK 5

9/22/2015

Week #5: Recovering a Sense of Possibility

This week was havoc for my family was in town, so I did not write my Morning Pages during this time. Then afterwards, I was catching up on my work, so also did not have time. In a two week period, I only wrote for 2 days and 3 partial days.

I did work on some of the exercises, which included a wish list, which was really fun to do.

ART STUDIO WORK

9/22/2015

Today I completed some mundane tasks, such as sanding the back door frame so that it closes better. I also hung up my inspiration boards, painted the sides of my paintings black, and aged the white wall for a background. I also gathered materials to start adding broken mirrors to the head of my newest sculpture.

COLLAGE DAY

9/20/2015

Today our group met at a cafe and even though it was really hot, we all seemed to find some inspiration.

My collage for the day

Mark's collage

Stephen's work

Nikki's finished work

ROOT DIVISION OPENING

9/12/2015

Root Division lost their original space, but tonight was the opening of their new studios. The rooms are small, but clean.

ARTIST's WAY MEETING: WEEK 4

9/8/2015

Week #4: Recovering a Sense of Integrity

This week went very well. I made a commitment to not surf Facebook, not play video games, and limit my time surfing the web.

I completed my Artist Date and did my Morning Pages nearly everyday, however at times they were done in the evenings instead.

I completed the exercise wherein one describes themselves at eighty. I began the writing with some typical responses which then devolved into past troubles with my father. It became a very emotional endeavor and a powerful exercise.

ARTIST DATE

9/6/2015

Today I visited the hardware store to research materials. The first two pictures are for specific projects I have already been thinking about. The wood elements were a pleasant surprise, but not sure what I would use them for yet.

turner exhibit

9/1/2015

Today I visited the de Young Museum to see the Turner exhibit. I've always been a fan, but something really occurred to me. Turner was an incredible landscape artist, but his rendering of the human figure was not particularly good. Most of his figures look extremely awkward and stiff. On the other hand, his painting technique of skies and water is spectacular.