Sage Noel Ransom Harris: 4 months

Somehow, for some weird, strange, and beautiful reason, I have received the gift of fatherhood…once again ( and yes, that makes 4 girls). And by some random chance I am still here. And it is now 2012 and the world is still here around me. Life just keeps getting better and better and better [and busier].  I really do enjoy writing blogs and adding content to my website, but being a stay-at-home dad with a 3 yr-old and a 4 mo-old has me all tied up in dirty diapers, nap-times, baby talk, house cleaning, and bottle warming.

Sage's First Swing! weeeeee!

Making the time to BLOG has been a challenge.  Today, I am sitting ALL DAY at the Topanga Canyon Gallery, an artist-operated gallery where I have been a member for several months. I am away from dirty diapers today so now I have no excuse why I can’t write a new blog.

Lots of changes: We had been living in Topanga for about 1 1/2 years and realized soon after having our new baby Sage Noel, last December, that it was too far from life in the city. Too far to commute back and forth in traffic. Too far from all the action. So, we decided it was time to move.

I won't miss the Topanga rattle snakes.

We found a nice apartment in Venice Beach. Now, I wouldn’t recommend moving when there is a newborn in the family because it has the potential for great disaster. However, some family came down from Northern California to help out – and it was a HUGE help – thank you, we could not have done it without you! We have been at our new place for two weeks and are still settling in – unpacking boxes, organizing the new play-room, and getting a new art studio space set up in our dining room (I like to be close to the food source so that when I am painting, I remember to eat).

Dreaming - with Joel R Harris at Topanga Canyon Gallery

Dreaming: Artist Reception at Topanga Canyon Gallery, Feb 2012

I had my first show, “Dreaming”, at the Topanga Canyon Gallery in February (see pics here). I am not currently painting, but hope to have my creative studio space set up very soon. I am currently showing my work at Abuelita’s Mexican Restaurant in Topanga. If you are passing through, please stop by – they serve up a mean chile relleno, and if you have a designated driver, don’t pass up their margaritas.

Will I have time to paint with two kids on my hands? I don’t know, but I would rather have two kids on my hands than two paint brushes.

I’ll just keep having fun:

The house has visitors

The night came and went as fast as anything I can remember. My wish is that the 700 people that came to the event had a chance to enter the big crooked house and share in the interactive Dream Wall. There were 10 different artists who created their idea of a childhood fort, and each fort was very different, original, and creative. I used 500 square feet of cardboard and invested $100+ in materials, and it would’ve cost more if I didn’t have some generous donations of paint and painting materials (thank you Bill).

"Little Dream House"

I worked on my Dream House/fort for two weeks and then realized I bit off more than I could chew…I needed some help – it was too big to put together myself (have you ever tried to build a house out of cardboard!?) After enlisting the help of a good friend, we had the house built and ready for the event in no time. Did I mention that my girlfriend was (and, as of this posting, is still) due to give birth at any moment?

The night started at 8pm with press visiting and asking questions (socal.com covered the event and so did LA Weekly) and things got really busy, real fast. The house was packed most of the night with visitors entering into an enchanted dream house where they could add their desire to the Dream Wall. Two Hundred Post-It notes later, the wall was filled with some funny, weird, and inspiring dreams and desires.

Winning Desire!

There was also a contest! The person who’s Post-It note inspired me the most wins a free 11×14″ matted print from my website. I also chose two runners up that will also get some free stuff! If you see your Post-It note below, all you have to do is contact me at: “joelharrisstudio at gmail.com” to claim your prize.

Thank you everyone who attended and was a part of the adventure that is and was FORT. Thank you cARTel for the opportunity to share THE DREAM.

The dream wall is full of desires

Left wall inside the house

First Runner Up

Second Runner Up

View From Window

From: "All I Really Need to Know I Learned in Kindergarten"

Little Crooked Dog House

I’ve been busy with commissions, getting ready for a new baby on the way, and lots of house cleaning, holiday shopping, and more… I had to figure out who would be available to give me a hand asap! I contacted a friend (Rap Healey) with a lot of cardboard construction experience, and I’m looking forward to his arrival tomorrow morning!! I know how I want this thing to look, I only need a little more help to bring this vision to life.

I have been working day and night to get this thing ready for FORT – it’s going to be so much fun!

FORT:
Gallery. Playground. Party
Thursday, December 8th (ARTWALK)
Angel City Brewing 8:30 PM -1:00 AM
$10 TICKETS AT WWW.WEARECARTEL.ORG

Event Info:
10 artists picked to create their version of a childhood fort in a 25,000 square foot space, surrounding the ultimate pillow playground. Interactive art, food, Sparky the Dragon making pizza, live music, vendors, giveaways, $5 craft beers, a special DJ set by GOJ!RA, school supplies drive with charity School on Wheels and MORE.

Painting the cardboard walls

30 sq ft. of cardboard - painted white

1 gallon of white paint – and 30 sq ft. of cardboard later, the walls were finished.

Next I will be painting the cardboard roof sections.

FORT: House Design

The idea is to construct a childhood FORT. 10 artists were chosen to create their version of a childhood fort in a 25,000 square foot space, surrounding the ultimate pillow playground. With interactive art, food trucks, live music and giveaways. My Fort is going to be a crooked little house like the houses in my paintings.

Model House for FORT

For some time now, I have wanted to get some experience with installation art. I am looking forward to this whole new path of expression.

FORT:

Thursday, December 8th 8:30 PM–1:00 AM

ANGEL CITY BREWING

216 South Alameda

Los Angeles, CA 90012

Tickets are $10 with some of the proceeds going to “School On Wheels” a local nonprofit helping homeless children get an education.

Tickets here: http://www.wearecartel.org/fort.php

Video Clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kwsaHcdq8hk

See You There!

I was one of 10 artists chosen to create our version of a childhood fort in a 25,000 square foot space in downtown Los Angeles, surrounding the ultimate pillow playground. Interactive art, food trucks, live music, giveaways, and MORE:

Featuring FORTS by:
{KATE BERGSTROM}
{DARCY FRENCH-MYERSON}
{JOEL HARIS}
{MICHAELA MCETTRICK}
{DUSTIN GRABINER}
{EMMA GOO}
{SEVAG MAHSEREJIAN & HARO ISTAMBOULIAN}
{VIVIAN MARTINEZ}
{CLAIRE BROOKS & MASON CHAPPLE}
{MYRIAD SLITS & PURGATORY COLLECTIVE}

And MUSIC by:
{THE SCIENTOLOGIST}
{DJ ROB VON BOOGIE}
{FLY GUYS}
{BEEFF}
{DJ GOJ!RA}

In addition, we’re pairing with charity SCHOOL ON WHEELS – come support!

Here is a short interview at Opening Night from BACCHANAL Art Gallery in Venice, CA.

Starting August 8th 2011

For the next 20 DAYS, I will post one drawing per day for sale on Facebook (“Joel Harris Art”). The first person to comment “SOLD” gets it. You will have 48 hours to complete the transaction, otherwise the next person to comment “SOLD” gets a chance to purchase the artwork.

This is a unique opportunity to own an original – I never sell my original drawings.

Each $20 drawing will be new, original, on 8.5 x 11″ heavyweight drawing paper, numbered, hand signed and dated.

FREE SHIPPING!! Artwork will ship within 2-3 days after payment has been made through paypal. (*Matted/Framed Drawings will ship 3-6 days)

*Custom mat, Total: $30 – Finished size will be 11 x 14″ w/ a sturdy white mat.

*Custom Mat and Frame, Total: $60 – Black Eco-wood frame, 12 x 15″ with white Mat.

Payment:
Please send payment via www.Paypal.com to: info@joelharrisstudio.com

Thank You For Supporting The Arts!

Live Painting July 2011 at Townhouse Gallery, Venice CA

 
Earlier this month I was invited to do some live painting, and then had a group exhibition at the Townhouse Gallery in Venice, CA.

TownHouse Gallery Exhibition July 2011 - Venice CA

I have enjoyed a nice 2-week break from painting, but I am back at it again…

After working on a new painting for 3 weeks, I am almost finished. The original idea for “Balanced Earth” came from a sketch I completed a few years ago. It really needs to be seen in person. It has a swirl of metallic silver paint in the background that does not show well on a computer screen. Also keep in mind that this painting measures 4ft x 4.5ft and is not as small as it appears here.

Balanced Earth, 4 x 4.5 ft, acrylic and oil on canvas

The inspiration for this piece came as I was thinking about how balance and harmony always exist – in every moment. Spending time in nature and observing how the miracle of life unfolds is a perfect example of this truth. We often forget that we are interwoven into the organic fabric of life and are One with its laws and movements. In this painting, the large tree rooted in the earth, growing upwards, is a visual representation of this idea. I chose to encircle the tree and earth in a rainbow to create a feeling of peace and tranquility – reminding us of the magic that surrounds us.

Often when astronauts view earth from outer space, they are amazed that so much suffering and unhappiness could exist on such a small peaceful looking planet. When others view this painting, I would like to inspire thoughts of balance, unity, and compassion.

Here are some upcoming events I would like to share with YOU

Bacchanal Group Installation
August 7th – 14th 2011

Townhouse Gallery
Opening Sunday August 7th
56 Windward Ave, Venice, CA 90291

On August 7th I will be live painting and exhibiting new little house landscapes on canvas, as well as an eyeball satellite dish. Opening reception begins at 7:30pm – 12:30am. Please come and check it out – there will be a bit of wine & aperitif’, amazing art, music, jewelry, and fashion.

The Medallion
Opening Thursday August 11th 2011 during the Los Angeles Art Walk
12pm-10pm
334 S Main St, Los Angeles

“L.A.’s finest artists, designers, and live performers come together and take over the corner of 4th and Main to bring you full day of art, live entertainment, fine food and drinks.  Free art classes and performance lessons will be offered all day and live music, art, and dance performances will be shown all evening.”

If you haven’t checked out the LA Art Walk scene, you need to. It is exploding with new creativity and it is always expanding – getting better each month. – Check it out every Second Thursday in Downtown LA!

Live Painting At the Speakeasy, Venice CA

Painting In Progress: "Balanced Earth"

Lucy Rose

Details from the painting titled, WISDOM

“Wisdom” began as a pen and ink drawing 10 years ago. Before I began my exploration into painting, I only created sketchbook drawings with pen and ink, and all of my work was black and white – no color. After several years I had over 200 pen drawings and a pile of sketchbooks. I thought that someday those sketchbook drawings would make great ideas for paintings.

Painting Complete: "Wisdom" Acrylic on Canvas, 3x4ft by Joel Harris

After almost 10 years of painting I am finally beginning to see what it will take to be a great artist. All of the ups and downs that I’ve been though over the years are finally beginning to teach me a great big lesson about creativity, passion, love, and expression from within. WISDOM is the first painting from a new body of work which draws from dreams, the subconscious mind, and my past experiences traveling within. My intention is to express this inner vision-inspiration with clarity and share it with others. Also, A special thanks to Barbara, my girlfriend, for your inspiration! You wanted to see some of my drawings come to life with color… and here it is!  MWA

Work in progress, "Wisdom"

Close-up of "Wisdom" by Joel Harris