Artist Spotlight: CHILDREN OF CREATION

Sarah Jane, aka Children of Creation, is an amazing artist friend of mine, and her work is constantly getting more and more incredible. There is a dreamlike, enchanting quality to her drawings quite apparently paying homage to Gustav Klimt and art nouveau, simultaneously referencing the tripped out, rock-n-roll poster style of the Woodstock days. You'll be able to see Children of Creation's solo show HEAVY DREAMER at her opening Tuesday, March 11th at the Tin Can. Check out this interview I got to have with Children of Creation about some of her inspirations and body of work:

MAGIC BROTHERHOOD: Sarah Jane, it's an honor to be showing a collection of your work this coming Tuesday, March 11 at the Tin Can! If you can, please tell us a little bit about what we're going to see at this show.
Your show is titled "Heavy Dreamer". What is the significance of this in relation to the body of work you'll be showing?

  SARAH JANE: Hmm I suppose it is just a reference to my aspirations as an artist in this world and modern times. I don't necessarily have a plan for what it is I'm doing here on this planet. I am just trying to act on my dreams no matter how abstract they may be. I reference a lot of occult images and ideas through my art... tarot and astrological influences, rock n roll, and the strong symbolism behind a woman's body. a lot of people think i just draw naked chicks haha, which is true yes, but it's not coming from a lowbrow perspective. I think the female body is a symbol of strength and a force not to be reckoned with. That being said, if you like it because it's tit art, that's totally fine! Who doesn't love tits? But if you see a deeper meaning behind it, then you can understand me more. I do not consider myself to be a feminist, but I obviously identify with the power that a woman's body has. This is how I tie these weird ideas in my brain together. 

MB: How did you come up with the moniker Children of Creation?

SJ: Haha well its some lyrics from "Thrill of it All", a Black Sabbath song. Love me some Sabbath. It was just one of those things that happened- that song came on and I heard these lyrics: "inclination of direction, walk the turned and twisted rift/ with the children of creation futuristic dreams we sift". And it was just like this giant bright light bulb that went off in my head. I felt incredibly connected with these words. Black Sabbath is heavy but if you actually read the lyrics they can be quite poetic and beautiful.  

MB: You've explored many mediums besides drawing and painting and you're an incredibly talented artist who has been making work for a long time. What is your background with the arts and other mediums?

SJ: I was a country kid with a weird imagination I guess; always sprawled out on the floor with paper and pens and markers. My teachers were really encouraging with my creative side and put me in a lot of art contests. My home as a child was always creative, with my mom being a concert pianist, my dad did all kinds of art, and my brother and sister played music. They supported us being the weirdos we were and continue to be. I did the whole school thing, got a degree in Fashion Design, but what has always been my number one love is the art of picking up a pen and inducing a crazy vision on a piece of blank paper. I wasn't confident with sharing my work publicly until very recently in my life. I see it as a rite of passage I suppose, i needed to get over some personal things that had gotten in the way and held my ass back. 

MB: Who are some of your favorite artists?

SJ: Such a complicated question! There are too many to name. But the heaviest influences classically are Mucha and Klimt. They were these very strange dudes for their time who could illustrate the female form as if they were women themselves. They had a softness about them even though they incorporated hard, linear movement. 

As far as contemporary artists I have an unbelievable amount of respect for Alan Forbes. He's this rad dude in SF who has been doing killer band poster art for quite some time. He inspires me so much because every piece of art he does is not only fresh but it's also done in such a classic, clean way. He kinda just put himself out there without having to say, "Here I am who the fuck cares if you don't like it", which I suppose is more or less how I feel about my art. Alan has made me feel ok with the kind of work I do, and for that I'm extremely appreciative. 

MB: favorite musicians?

SJ: I would have very little meaning in my life if it weren't for Sabbath, Allman Brothers, Grateful Dead, Neil Young, Yes, Velvet Underground, George Harrison, Miles Davis, Skip James, Leadbelly, just to name some ...... All these musicians made me feel things on a deeper level. Much of my work is heavily inspired by rock n roll and what has happened in society (positively) because of it.

And present day? Man there is so much amazing shit out there in a sea of mediocrity. Im lucky enough to be a part of this weird little creative society that churns out some bad ass bands. Artifact, Psicomagia, Glitter Wizard, Wild Honey, Sacri Monti, just to name a few...

MB: Favorite place to make art?

SJ: On the floor, in a room with decent lighting, completely alone.

MB: favorite curse word?

SJ: I love every single curse word under the sun! They are just words but there is something so satisfying to yell "fuck" really loud. It's like oral therapy. 

MB: What can we look forward to see from Children of Creation in the future?

SJ: I hope to continue doing rad projects for other small businesses for a very long time! But also right now I'm working on getting this 5 person creative collective off the ground. We are all bringing different elements with our individual talents (art, clothing design, vintage seekers, writing, jewelry design, music) and creating a bigger monster collective that all of us can show to the world. The goal is to travel and create awareness of all these rad things we are doing, and I feel so lucky that I have found these people to work with and experience life with. Check out what we are doing on instagram @therodadoracollective. 

You can follow Children of Creation on instagram @childrenofcreation

and follow her collective @therodadoracollective

To contact Children of Creation email childrenofcreation@yahoo.com

Artist Spotlight: CHULAFACE

Chulaface, aka Ashlona, aka Ashley is a totally adorable and talented lady, and she is having her first-ever solo exhibition Tuesday, February 11 at the Tin Can. We got to talking a little bit about her show, and a bunch of other juicy stuff as well. Check out our interview here:

 

Magic Brotherhood: Your first solo art show is coming up Feb 11 at Tin Can, and I am so super stoked for you! What have you been working on for this exhibition?

 

Chulaface: Lots of new stuff. New paintings, a few black-and-white illustrations. Some Teen Angels Magazine inspired pieces. I've been really into the whole mi vida loca, low rider art kinda stuff for a while now. Tryin' to see where I can incorporate it into my own style. Um..what else? A Virgin Mary Tina.. Boobs. Lots of boobs and crystals. 

MB: You're under the moniker Chulaface. What is the origin of this name?

 

CHULA: Nickname given to me a few years back by my off and on again, and again, and again "boyfriend" Aldo. I used to just go by Ashlona, a nickname given to me by an older homegirl I use to smoke with after work when I was like 18. She said Ashley sounded too much like a white valley girl name. So she made up a new one and it just kinda stuck. 

Chulaface fits me better, I think. Aldo was my first really Mexican boyfriend and before him I wasn't really into pet names.. but I don't know, something about hearing them in Spanish just made me melt. So no matter what's going on between us I use it. It came from a sweet place and it always makes me smile. It's mine.. It's me on a good day. I still really love him and the time we've spent together. I guess simple words can really change things coming from the right person. He's had a very positive influence on my artwork and character in general. 

I've honestly had a shit ton of nicknames though, second favorite is "Lil Chips" for sure. 

MB: What are some things that inform you when you are making your work?

 

CHULA: Beautiful women. Sexy curves. Big hair, big boobs. Make up. Old prison art I used to see on the walls of my Tia's bedroom growing up. Love letters. Lots of bad decisions. Lots of hurt feelings. All my blessings. Finding the perfection in the imperfections.

 

 

MB: When did you start making art?

 

CHULA: I've been drawing ever since I can remember. It's always come naturally. It's kinda the only thing I'm really really good at. I remember showing work in a few small art shows when I was in grade school and being in the newspaper at least 4 or 5 times for various art accomplishments in high school.

But I didn't start live painting or really giving a fuck if anyone saw my work until college. That's when I joined CA (Creative Aesthetics), an art group made up of painters, illustrators, graff writers, musicians, live performers etc. in LA. We all support each other, and share gig info. 

Agapito, the founder and I have been friends for years now, I guess you could say he's my art mentor. He keeps me hungry, always reminding me to push on and work harder; challenge myself. He also makes me yummy home-cooked dinners when I'm broke and babysits my puppy when I go out of town. Art friends forever. CA everyday.

 

MB: How has your work developed over time?

 

CHULA: More detail, intricate patterns, more color. Right now I've been trying to create more of an environment for my figures, to try and tell more of a story rather than just floating.

I wasted 3 years in design college. Didn't learn a damn thing. I wasn't focused, and it was hard. Too much to remember and I am not a people pleaser. I just didn't care enough I guess.

Drawing and painting on the other hand have always been my passion and have always been fun for me. No matter how tedious it can be, sitting quietly painting is when I feel the most fulfilled. So gonna just stick to that from now on.   

I get stuck sometimes just painting "pretty" paintings but I'm working on being a bigger risk taker. Fuck it, if it's not prefect just keep working. Always growing, moving forward. 

MB: Favorite artists?

 

CHULA: Elrod, Neckface, Pedro Perez, Glenn Arthur... I LOVE Ise Ananphada's work! Namio Harukawa!!!  The list gose on and on. 

MB: Favorite music?

 

CHULA: Kinda hate this question. There's no right answer. I'm not a music nerd. I like all kinds of stuff. 

I like getting drunk and dancing the night away with my gays. 

Sometimes I like listening to the same lame heartbroken pop song over and over again laying in bed crying over something stupid. 

I love music videos though, even the bad ones! Sometimes I think I should have gone to film school instead. 

MB: Favorite curse word and why?

 

CHULA: Fuck.. Yeah I'm gonna say fuck. That's fucking amazing! That's so fucking stupid. It works for everything. 

MB:Is there anything new in the works for Chulaface we can look forward to?

 

CHULA: Lots of colorful penises and hopefully a lot more shows.. Thats all I'll say for now. :) 

 

 

Chulaface's show I JUST WANT TO CRY ALL DAY & PARTY ALL NIGHT opens Tuesday, February 11 at the Tin Can. The show begins at 9 pm, no cover. 21+

 

Artist Spotlight: £¥£ G∆†O

£¥£ G∆†O aka Jose Gustavo Zamarripa-Munoz, used to curate the Tin Can before Magic Brotherhood. He left to the Bay Area and now is back and putting together an amazing solo exhibition opening Tuesday, January 14... at Tin Can of course! I got to sit down with £¥£ G∆†O to discuss his work, his time in the Bay Area, and his upcoming show •• H∆†CH •• .

                                    MagicBrotherhood: First and foremost, you've got a solo show coming up Tuesday January 14 at the Tin Can. Can you talk a little bit about the work that ill be exhibited? 

£¥£ G∆†O: I’m really excited to display some of the collaborations that were created over the last year in the Bay Area. All the work is a product of mix media, found objects and recycled art. I was really inspired by the street art in the Bay Area as well as the new friendships I developed at work. It [the body of work] was really challenging, as most of this pieces were collaborations. Every single artist approached a new angle, a new challenge, a new set of eyes and growth.

MB: What was the inspiration for the show's name, H∆†CH?

£: The last art piece that I created before I moved back [to San Diego] is called Hatch and just simply describes how I feel about my art at this moment. The Bay Area had a great impact on my life; it felt like I was breaking out of an eggshell. I experienced a new side of my art there that I never had before.

 

MB: You work with many different types of mediums. When did you first begin making art? Did the mediums you used initially inspire you to try other forms of artmaking?

£: As a kid I used to doodle the Ninja Turtles on my bedroom walls. That’s one of my most fond memories of doing art. Later in life I would recreate some of my favorite cartoon characters with paper and pencil. It wasn’t until 2004 that I was able to let my imagination flow on paper. My main tools throughout the first years were paper, ink and pencil. The art got more experimental after I went to college, [inspired] by my peers and art teachers. Every new medium has brought a new approach to try something crazier without limits.

MB: You are the former curator of the Tin Can, I am so happy that you're doing this show and we're meeting! Did that experience o putting together art shows influence your own practice at all? Did you have a good time curating?

£: I’m also very stoked to meet you and happy to see how creative you been with the shows you have curated.

  Every single art show has been an unforgettable experience.  I always had a great time working with new musicians and artists. Each show had a great impact on my life and has definitely influenced my growth as an artist and curator.

 

MB: What type of art were you making while in the Bay Area?

£: A lot of mixed media, recycled, street art, some digital photography, collaborations!!!

MB: Who are some of your favorite artists? Favorite local artists?

Favorite musicians?

£: Alex Pardee, Skinner, Gats, Sawmpy, Nicholas Di Genova, Camille Rose Garcia, Guyletattoer, Space Invader, Audrey Kawasaki, Cannondill , Monster Aesthetics just to name a few.

Favorite local artist: Mathew Land, Rogers, King Tubb, Bills Kills All, Fungus, Justin Cota, Chikle ,  Eddy Berducido.

Favorite musicians : Gloomsday, Primitive Noyes, Mystery Cave, Killer Swan.

MB: What can we look forward to from £¥£ G∆†O?

£: Clothing line, zines, prints, patches, coloring book, stickers, sculptures, maybe some tattooing, surprises, and plenty of new art work.

For more info on £¥£ G∆†O visit:

http://eyegato.tumblr.com

http://instagram.com/eyegatoz

Magic Brotherhood presents Survivors of Rape Art Benefit

I am so excited to announce that Magic Brotherhood is curating a benefit (our very first!) next week for the Center for Community Solutions (CCS). The show will feature seven artists, all who are donating a portion of their art profits to the center, and additionally there will be an opportunity to make direct donations to CCS.

CCS was established in 1969, and every year are able to help over 30,000 people heal from and prevent relationship and sexual violence. They operate San Diego's only rape crisis center as well as a countywide 24-hour bilingual crisis helpline. They host emergency domestic violence shelters and provide legal and counseling services for people affected by rape, domestic violence, and elder abuse. They continually strive to be "a catalyst for caring communities and social justice" and to prevent relationship and sexual violence. CCS is an amazing organization, and though we all hope to never be in situations where we may need to call on them, it is an invaluable resource to know is out there.




We hope that you will come out and support CCS on Tuesday November 12 at the Tin Can!

The event begins at 9 pm and there will be live music provided by San Diego bands California 666 and Artifact.

Artwork in the show provided by Jenna Bogorad, Sean Burdeaux, Tessa Cady, Valerie Hall, Ashlona Hinjosa, Sarah Jane, Robert Khasho, and Danica Molenaar. See you there!



For more information on the Center for Community Solutions, visit their website.