_Paint Pens in Purses_female urban art collective

My work uses science and mass media as metaphor for our emotions about the inner chaos of our world. I aim to reflect the isolation of those who may be ignored or shy but still want to be seen. The beauty is there, waiting for be discovered, but we don’t see it because we cannot shed our prejudices.

Featured Artist ||| Jennifer Parks (Portland, OR) 

Featured Artist ||| Jennifer Lewis (Boston, MA) 

This week’s Featured Artist is Jennifer Lewis from Boston; the starting place of Paint Pens in Purses, our most beloved art collective. We are pleased to share you some images from Jennifer Lewis’ Cats at Work series. This particular series, which was inspired by old World War II propaganda posters, is both adorable and thoughtful. To check out more work visit Jenifer Lewis’ website or on her Etsy page. There were some buttons on there that I am already eyeing, so you better hurry. 

Bio:

I grew up in a small town in Maine, where I read a lot and spent numerous days in the woods chasing the animals.

Looking at the little things and observing the details has always been of great joy to me. Early on I was influenced by the detailed works of Hieronymus Bosch, Bruegel, and Lisbeth Zwerger. My influences grew to include numerous comic book artists, Mark Ryden and James Jean.

Visual storytelling became a big part of my art. Following my influences I set out to become an illustrator. In 2000 I graduated from the Rhode Island School of design, with a BFA in Illustration.

Currently I reside in Boston where I show my work at numerous galleries and cafes and continue cultivating my freelance career. I spend my days painting, baking, drinking coffee, arranging my loft and feeding my two cats.

My love of the arts continues to evolve and grow. Just recently I started attending Graphic Design classes at Mass Art and have big plans for the future.

You an find my work at the Made In Fort point store or Etsy and I also participate in the Fort Point open Studios.

Cats At Work Series

This series evolved from my love of old World War II movies and posters. I really enjoy the old propaganda poster aesthetic, simple with hand painted imagery. There is something quaint and unsettling about looking at the classic images of the 40’s from our modern viewpoint, I highly recommend  the movie “Fido” to illustrate this example.

My favorite images from this time period are the depictions of the factory girls. These women, like Rosie the Riviter started to support themselves and their families after the men went to war. I imagine these kittens like Rosie the Riviter, being all self sufficient with a great sense of pride in their work. Whenever I look at these paintings I always hear the Flogging Molly “Factory Girls” song in my head.

Featured Artist ||| Jennifer Davis (Minneapolis, MN) 

Jennifer Davis, an illustrator from Minneapolis, is Paint Pens in Purses’ newest Featured Artist! If you live in Austin (TX) you will have a chance to see her work in person at GrayDuck Gallery. They will be holding their opening reception for “A Certain Reality” featuring work by Jennifer Davis, Megan Kimber, and David Ball on Friday, 2/22/13. 

To check out more work by Jennifer Davis please visit her website or her Etsy page. 

Bio:

Making art is a daily ritual for me. I enjoy painting everyday and get a deep satisfaction from sharing my work with other people. For me, painting is a vehicle for expressing my most personal thoughts and ideas. I am trying to communicate things that are often unspoken and private but commonly human. I started selling original paintings and collages on Etsy in 2006 and added limited edition prints in 2010. In addition to selling work via my Etsy shop, I regularly exhibit my work in shops and galleries throughout the U.S. and beyond.

HAPPY VALENTINE’S DAY!!! Here are two cards from two of Paint Pens in Purses’ faaavorite artists, Tofusquirrel and Allison Bamcat. These were originally printed for the Boston Phoenix. You can actually print out the cards here and give them to someone. The third image, well…what’s Valentine’s Day without our most beloved one-man show, Morrissey, in the mix? 

Also if you are short on date, or gift ideas, AND you live in San Francisco, then we got you covered! Head down to D-Structure in Lower Haight for a chance to purchase artwork from our group show, “Ice Cream Girl”. Here you will find work by Allison Bamcat, Tofusquirrel and many others from the collective! Show closes Feb 28th. 

Featured Artist ||| Tofusquirrel (Boston, MA) ||| Illustrator

Tofusquirrel is this week’s Featured Artist and long-time friend of Paint Pens in Purses. We are very pleased to have her ice cream creatures flying ALL the way here from freezing Boston, Massachusetts to come chill with us in San Francisco for the “Ice Cream Girl” show at D-Structure NEXT Friday!

With Prismacolors, pens and paper; Tofusquirrel can create magic. You will also never meet someone more excited to watch the Planet Earth documentaries. Tofusquirrel loves animals, bugs, and all creatures times a zillion. True story. 

Tofusquirrel has been displayed at galleries, store fronts, New England Comics during Free Comic Book Day, The New York Comic Con, The Boston Comic Con, The Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo, The Massachusetts Independent Comics Expo, and the world famous Art Basel Miami. Tofusquirrel has done art events for companies such as Apple, ADIDAS, Converse, Karmaloop, and Wizard Sleeve Toys. She has also had billboards and wall murals advertising Pabst Blue Ribbon Beer in cities across America.

In 2009, Tofusquirrel was flown to LA to do live painting along with Tara McPherson at the Hive Gallery during the very first Feminality show, all female art, hosted by Wizard Sleeve Toys. In 2011, Tofusquirrel’s work was displayed in Tara McPherson’s Tiny Trifecta art show, also the grand opening of the Cotton Candy Machine art boutique in NY. Dozens of low brow/pop surrealism artists were also in the show. Fans camped out in front of the boutique the night before, and the event was filmed by MTV.

Tofusquirrel has been published in LA Weekly, The Boston Phoenix, ColorInkBook Volume 11, The Boston Metro, The Boston Herald, The Weekly Dig, WIRED.com, STUFF Magazine, The FAT CHUNK robot anthology, MTV.com, I Luv Halloween 3, Juxtapoz.com, and more. She was featured in the Best of Boston 2008 and 2010 issues of the Boston Phoenix Newspaper, highlighting her gig posters and Paint Pens in Purses (an urban female art collective). In 2010, FuelTV flew to Boston to film Tofusquirrel and her work. The Tofusquirrel segment aired internationally during Mountain Dew’s Green Label Experience Action Sport Championships. Her artwork was also shown during the championship commercials. In 2011, she illustrated an octopus for the cover of “The Best of” issue of the Phoenix for Boston, Providence, and Portland. In 2012, she won the 1st place award for illustration at the New England Newspaper & Press Association Awards (weekly newspapers, circulation more than 6,000), for the Phoenix’s “Best of 2011″ octopus cover illustration.

At the event we will have Tofusquirrel pieces for sale, however, if you a.) can’t wait, b.) you need to get something N-O-W, or c.) you can’t attend the show, then you can purchase her work here.  

Featured Artist ||| Jodee Knowles (Sydney, AUS) 

Jodee Knowles lives and works in Sydney, Australia. Her work is heavily based on the human condition and the emotional state of mind that makes or breaks a happy existence. Her portraits are a reflection of one’s memories and expectations, in which the concept of an intoxicating other is celebrated or hated. 

Jodee’s characters attempt to awaken forgotten memories and desired longings. By thematically dealing with the feeling of being torn between addiction and satisfaction, between excess and boredom, she attempts to confuse her viewer’s senses and breach space, time and feeling. The works portray her own existence, where extreme experiences, fear and obsession collide. 

Jodee describes herself as always hungry for emotional familiarity and addicted to the chaotic environment of them. Each work represents and displays her connection with individuals who are involved in her life emotionally, and whose existence causes her to constantly question her own.  

Jodee is currently working on illustrations for a children’s Halloween book which is scheduled to be released in 2013. She is also prepping for her latest solo show entitled “Irreplaceable Essence”, which is based on the idea that no two people sharing the same memory of the same moment. The exact date will be announced later in the year. To see more of Jodee Knowles’ work and to follow her latest news visit her website. 

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Featured Artist ||| Lauren Max (Seattle, WA) ||| Photography

Paint Pens in Purse’s newest featured artist is photographer, Lauren Max, from Seattle, Washington. I was drawn to her rich cinematic color schemes and her ability to capture qualities of freedom and wild beauty found both in people and the world around us.

Lauren grew up in Olympia, Washington and has a keen appreciation of the Northwestern landscape. Lauren attended Seattle Central’s Commercial photography program and uses film for all of her creative work, mostly 35mm and some medium format as well.

Lauren Max’s photographs from a recent trip to San Francisco, Big Sur, and along the Highway 101 will be on display at Derek Erdman’s new pop-up gallery, International House of Paintings, in Seattle. For more information and images please visit her website.

Some words from Lauren…
“I became obsessed with taking photographs around the age of 14, when I wanted to remember everything that was seemingly important, and realized that photography allowed me to do so. My mom gave me her old Canon A1 35mm camera, the same one she had taken photos of me with throughout my childhood, and I documented the people and things around me, suddenly finding my surroundings new and interesting once viewed through a lens.

When originating new work, I draw strongly on sense of place, looking to the Pacific Northwest’s geography, landmarks, and culture for inspiration, This diverse landscape is something that has always surrounded me, a place that I can always seek comfort in, as well as surprises. Hopelessly curious, I’m addicted to experimenting with new ideas each time I shoot. Often I approach a shoot with a loose vision yet remain open to new possibilities. I don’t know exactly the shot I want until I discover it in the moment.”

Article by, Paint Pens in Purses Founder, Shayna Yasuhara