GIVE+ Project -- Penang Malaysia

Starting from October, two GIVE+ Project groups will be created in Penang, Malaysia.
Please click on more Give+ Project for updated information.

How it works via Facebook

My name is Sue Ching You, an artist from Taiwan, currently with RBS-Malihom Artist in Residence Program of Wawasan Open University. Everyone is welcome to join this Project via Facebook. From the past, I did this project via my blog (http://suechingyou.blogspot.com/), but I have found using Facebook gives a broader freedom for the participants and anyone can be the creator and administrator.

Via this Project, you will have an opportunity to create something by other’s requests, and you are free to choose any types of media/materials to create an artwork/gift. However, you will have no control of topics, others' responses and reactions, and whom the receivers and destinations will be. In combination of web 2.0, Internet, tangible art objects and delivery, this project aims to discover the unexpected: topics, responses, destinations, occupations, human interaction, motivation, etc.

6 easy steps to participate:
1. Join the group.
2. Get an idea or subject to create from your friend.
3. Complete your artwork/gift within one day or 1 week.
4. Give your work to your friend, and let your friend decide who to give.
5. Exhibit your work on Facebook by uploading the image or video of your finishing work.
6. Anyone is welcome to leave comments.

Continuation of Give+ Project

Dear All,

From now to December 31st 2009, I will be continuing this Project with Wawasan Open University and Arts-ED (Arts Education Programs for Young People)Penang, Malaysia. Come join me and the Project via Facebook.

6 easy steps to participate via Facebook:
1. Type "Give+ Project" and click search. Join the group
2. Get an idea or subject to paint from someone (receiver).
3. Complete a new work in one day or a week.
4. Give your work to receiver and give to third person.
5. Exhibit your work on Facebook.
6. Anyone is welcome to leave comments.

See you there. Ciao.

Clayton Campbell

Clayton is the Artistic Director of 18th Street Arts Center. He is also an art critique, curator, and artist. He likes to wear earrings, and he walks slowly and elegantly. He has a beautiful Mercedes which can be compared to Ford Capri. He is like one of those yuppies who enjoys life and art.

Clayton has been an intelligent friend when I am here at the 18th Street. He gave me very positive critique when he came to see my work at the studio. When we are chatting, he always has an extraordinary perspective and open mind to discuss any issues. He is very subjective and yet very clear of his personal values.

I like him very much. He is one of those people that will make you feel and believe that you are doing something really really great.

Clayton certainly is a perfect person to be mentioned and put a conclusion of Give+ Project Santa Monica.

11 paintings-Give+ Santa Monica

November 30 will be my last day in Santa Monica. I have finished 11 paintings, found 22 Give+ Project participants, visited many galleries, museums, and tourist spots, and gained numerous amazing friendships.

To keep a record list of my finished paintings:
9/11- At the Beach
9/18-18th Street
9/26-Love and Freedom
9/28-At the Creek
9/30-Unlimited Love
10/19-Big River-Homage to Johnny Cash
10/26-Sasha
11/7-Wave
11/17-The Sky Having Fallen, Have Clouds for Breakfast
11/24-Anticipation
11/26-Father

Katie Ziemann

Katie is a very special girl. She is a volunteer at the 18th Arts Center. Dejan, Katie and I went to LACMA and Hammer Museum last month, and it was the first time I met her.

Katie only has one class left before finishing her college here. Her major is English. We were joking about ordering Start Painting DVD, so she could come to visit me in Taiwan via some kind of Fellowships. She likes to to tie her hair back very similar to Katherine from the film poster (Jules et Jim by Francoise Truffaut). Her parents live in west Pasadena. I am looking forward to spending Thanksgiving with her family.

Last week, we had a gathering at where she works at Beverly Hills. The food was good and she gave Dejan, James and I a sweet surprise--Birthday and farewell ice cream for us. I made a wish, and miraculously I think it came true.

Ronald Lopez

When I was in Taipei earlier this year, I knew Ronald. Every artist at the 18th Street Arts Center made contact with him before starting residency here. Ronald is also an artist and curator. He has a video work now showing "War as a the Way of Life" exhibition at the gallery of 18th Street Arts Center.

Ronald picked me up from the airport. He told me that he was in Istanbul for several years for an art project, so he speaks Turkish, too. He is a guy with many talents. As a curator, he has a very intelligent social skill. When he is around, he can make you feel comfortable in conversation.

I saw some of his works when he was in my studio waiting for Bill. I told him one of his works was very feminine (organic form and pink at negative space) which really in contrast of his masculine impression for others. Of course, he just laughs...

Dejan Kaludjerovic

Dejan is from Belgrade and now lives in Vienna. He came to 18th Street on 10/16. When Ronald took him to our studios and introduced him to James and I, the first impression he gave me was a tall and smiley young guy. I invited him and James for dinner as a welcome thing for him. He told us some amazing stories and I think he is a very smart artist.

He knows how to get what he wants, and he delicates fully his time and talent to his artwork. He can stay in his studio for days in order to create a perfect piece which requires intensive concentration and skill.

He only stays here for 4 weeks. He is leaving for his exhibition in NYC on Thursday. Wish him a huge sucess on the opening day.

First Rainy Day

Michael Barnard

Michael and I went lunch together today. He told me some extraordinary experiences he had from the past.

He is the Producer, Director, Designer, and Editor of Lightning Bolt Pix, a surfer, and he travels often. On top of his countless shooting projects, he has been working with UCLA for 12 years for the Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center documentary project. The architect is I.M. Pei, a great wise man whom I adore greatly. Michael is hired by UCLA to produce a film to persuade FEMA and to pass a substantial budget for building a world-class facility hospital. It took only 2 weeks for Pei to come up a brilliant plan for the new building. Because of funding, it took UCLA 12 years to complete the project. The final total budget is 1 billion. Hundreds of patients from the old Medical Center moved in in June 29, 2008. Michael is going to NYC this week to do the final shooting with I.M. Pei. He is going to ask Pei to talk about how he came up the extraordinary plan for building the Medical Center.

Michael has many beautiful stories from the past 12 years working with Pei and UCLA. With a limited budget, Pei asked Carlo Mariotti, the owner of a family company since 1895 in Tivoli, Italy and the supplier of many prestigious projects worldwide, for help. Mariotti donated more than 3 million pounds of travertine marble. Michael told me that Mariotti wanted to show his gratitude to the UCLA for saving his life twice, Mariotti supported Pei's request without asking further.

I.M. Pei is working together with his son Didi Pei, Michael's son is also used to work with him, and now Mariotti's son is running the family company. It is marvelous to see when two generations are working hand in hand for a greater goal. And it is certainly a blessing for both generations.

For Ramla Roussel

The Sky Having Fallen, Have Clouds for Breakfast
21.4 x 29.5 cm
acrylic on paper
sue-ching you © 2008

Ramla and I had lunch together at Fritto Mistro. I was very surprised that she had been lived in various places: Germany for 2 years, several trips to Nepal from the past 10 years , India, China...

Ramla is an Angelina, and she used to work as an legal consultant before she came to the 18th Street Arts Center. She is a Tibetan Buddhism, and that is the reason why she has been traveling and living in Asia for years. She also is interested in studying Fengshui.

She asked me to paint "The sky having fallen, have clouds for breakfast". Ramla has been wanted to paint this optimistic attitude for a long time, and this attitude matches her personality well. She is a warm and soft spoken mom. Whenever I am around her, I feel calm and delightful. She has a very magical aura around her.

When the viewers see the paintings, I hope you will realize that an optimistic attitude is within yourselves. You are the one who is capable to see the bright side of any challenge. The painting is just a hint of reminder.

Xavier

Xavier and Michael stopped by Yvette's studio last month, and we met for the very first time. This morning, I met him again. He was trying to send an e-mail via his asus mini laptop. We chatted a bit. He is a film maker from France, and he is working on a new movie with Michael from Lightning Bolt Pix, Inc. at the 18th Street Arts Center.

His new moive is about thousands years ago when nomads changed their living style and started developing society and civilization, from his research, one of an important factors is-changing of climate. He said that now we are facing a same situation of global climate change, and his film is about this interesting topic.

He is leaving on this Friday. Best wishes and luck to him.

Miguel R.

Miguel came to the open studio for the first time with his family (wife and 4 children) on 9/27. This morning, he was trying to fix the Continuum's sky window, and he stopped by to borrow the switch and transmission in my studio.

Almost noon, I invited him for lunch, and we chatted a bit. Miguel's mom is from Oxaca, and his father is from Jalisco. They met in Yaqui, Sonora and got married there. His father is the only child in the family. It is not too hard to see why Miguel has 11 brothers and sisters. Each of them is 2 years apart -24 years age difference from the oldest sibling to the youngest.

Every year, a 7 days celebration of reunion takes place everywhere. Miguel told me that they would kill a cow in every hour to give a continuous feast for everyone. It was a celebration combining religion, tradition, feast, music, and dance, etc...

He visits Yaqui from time to time. It will take him driving 20 hours to get there from LA. He and his family usually leave at 3 am and arrive around 10 pm. Most of people in Yaqui seldom leave the place. It is a large closed community. A highway in between divides the people into two groups -east and west. People from the east do not do business, go to school, communicating with people from the west and vice versa. Miguel said during his elementary school years, he made some Native American friends, and they still keep in touch with each other. He visit them whenever he goes back to Yaqui.

He will let me know if he has a topic for me to paint and to participate this project.

For Yvette Gellis

Wave

21 x 29.5 cm

acrylic on paper

sue-ching you © 2008

Yvette is Vedran's neighbor, and we met at the Kim Light Gallery, a representative of Yvette's large scale paintings. The first impression that Yvette gave me was lively and warm. Since last month, she has showed us around the city and visited China Town, Beverly Hills, and the Getty Villa. Today we went to Torrance Art Museum (TAM) for a Curator's Talk with the Artist-Eric Johnson. TAM is a nice boutique like museum. Yvette would like to have an exhibition there someday.

Vedran said that Yvette is a curious person and she has great potential to be successful. Yvette used to be a dancer, actor, opera singer, and a model. She chose to be an artist because painting to her is an ultimate combination of performance, musical, and personal expression that can be last for a life time. She likes to talk about her family, especially her children. When she is around, it's never dull. She likes to laugh a lot, too.

She asked me to paint about "immigrant" from a female perspective. She is going to send the painting to her best friend in Napa, California. Her friend is also an artist, and she believes her friend will be able to contribute some great opinions to this project.

note from 11/7:

A few days ago, Yvette told me that she would create another painting for responding my painting for her, and she would submit our paintings to the Korean Cultural Center Art Gallery's Call for Participation-Women Artists on Immigration. I show her the finished painting today, and she likes it. I really think that she understands those unspoken words in it. A BEAUTIFUL collaboration project!

For Yumi Takayama

Sasha
26 x 29.3 cm
acrylic on paper
sue-ching you © 2008

Yumi went to the same college with me. We have a mutual friend, Francoise. When Francoise knew that I was going to be in Santa Monica. She gave me Yumi's e-mail, and we met again for the very first time after graduation in 1999.

She now lives in Santa Monica, married and have a two-year-old daughter. We had lunch together for catching up updates from each other.

She asked me to paint her daughter and she will give the painting to a couple who made the announcement of husband and wife for them at the wedding ceremony.

Woman with Dog Reading

Woman with Dog Reading
29 x 21.2 cm
acrylic on paper
sue-ching you © 2008

For James Newitt

Anticipation
28.7 x 26.3 cm
acrylic on paper
sue-ching you © 2008

When you visit James's website, you will be amazed and impressed by his achievement in art and academic studies.

As one of 18th Street International Studio Gang, he is my next door neighbor. James is the only person has car, Vedran is our GPS, and I am the passenger. Together, we have gone to quite a few gallery walks, exhibitions, and openings.

He always keeps his door wide open when he is in. When anyone knocks on his door to visit, he always likes to offer you something to drink (beer is usually on the first of the option list when he says that). He likes walking barefoot in his studio. In addition, his signature smile will make you feel welcome and delightful.

His mom is a teacher, teaching health psychology. Today is her birthday. If you are tired of waking your kids up in the morning for the school, he will suggest you to let them learn surfing. James goes surfing almost every morning around 6. He is very fond of that.

He has a very interesting project called A Dollar Story Shop. He will set up a stand in a place like Skid Row (downtown LA and around 4-5,000 homeless live there) and ask people to tell him a story, then he will offer them a dollar in return. Quotes from the stories will be "advertising" on the large billboards. He is very intelligent in words and language for expressions and contemplation.

note from 11/9:
Anticipation is what he wants me to paint. James told me stories about his mom. He is going to give the painting to her. Anticipation is a nice word; when we anticipate something or someone, before its proper time, we look forward to it; we think of it often and intensive sense of expectation and desire arouse in the air.

Inspired by Nintendo's video game-"Anticipation" which released in 1988, this painting directly projects every artist, home, land sale owner's happy moment-item "SOLD".

For Vedran Perkov

Unlimited Love

29 x 21 cm

acrylic on paper

sue-ching you © 2008

Vedran, James, and I, I call us- Gang from the 18th Street International Studio. Vedrean, sky without any clouds, is from Croatia.

He grew up in Split and for vocation, he often goes to Zlarin, an island with a population of 276 in the winter time. His mom helps people with Chinese medicine and herbs. His family grows olive trees for the oil and vine yard for the wine. Everyone on the island knows him as a designer for the sport competition T-shirt and an artist. In my opinion, he is also like an art historian, movie critique, music guide, and most of all, he is our super GPS to wherever we go.

He is a thinker, and it reflects on his works. Those instant monuments, luxury beds, game machines, etc...are simple presentations of installations, but when you look and read closer, something further and beyond of those simple presentations will gradually reveal layers by layers or just hit you with a great surprise. Penalty Kicks is the piece has been on my mind lately.

Vedran is leaving on 9/30. I was thinking about just giving him a painting as a farewell gift, but I decided to ask him to participate this project.

Today (9/24), he told me to paint "unlimited". He thinks anything is possible in life, and he asks me to paint without any boundary. He is going to give the painting to his niece, a lady whom has been through a lot of rough time in life. To him, she is more than just a niece; They understand each other very well, and one of her daughters is his favorite. "You can paint it all blue"-I agree that blue sky = unlimited space, but I want more than that.

I wrote a poem called Unlimited Love together as a package to Vedran. Here I will only show you a section of my writing.

"Unlimited love, unlimited life

Limited love, limited life

Light is life

Love is never light"

For Jean Jou

Father
22 x 31 cm
acrylic on paper
sue-ching you © 2008

Jean lives at the east side of LA. She picked me up on Moon Festival, and I spent a couple days with her and her family. She was my English teacher when I was a high school student in Taiwan.

She asks me to paint "father", and it is going to be a gift for her son. Suddenly, I feel a great resposibility for the painting.

"Father" is the word or figure that has been had a great influence on expression and expectation in family, career, personality, and society, etc...Lee Ang, the director of Lust, Caution, now is a well known figure worldwide. Quote from Taipei Times, "Years of hard work have earned Ang Lee international fame. But, perhaps, the ultimate validation came from his father, who, on his death bed, told his son to keep on doing what he loves without fear."

This painting is scheduled to be finished on November 27.

For Sara Kulaski

Big River: Homage to Johnny Cash
28.3 x 26.4 cm
acrylic on paper
sue-ching you © 2008

Sara is Shane's girlfriend. Shane and his gang go surfing with my next door neighbor James Newitt almost every morning. James, Vedran and I often go to the gallery walks and openings in Santa Monica and downtown LA. I met Sara last Saturday during the gallery walk at Washington and La Cienega. She is an elementary school teacher. I mentioned the project to her, and she said that it would be a nice project for her students. When I spoke to her, I changed my plan a little. However, I've decided to stick with my original plan instead.

We met last night again in James's studio party. I told her my original plan, and she will tell me later what to paint.

Today (9/22), got an e-mail from Sara. She wrote, "I have been thinking about the subject for the painting and I would like you to paint about music. The painting will be for my brother John who is a musician-a guitar player. His style is a mixture of rock n roll, folk, some blues and country.... (cool country, think johnny cash and bob dylan) ."

The finished painting is giving homage to Johnny Cash, a legend always dressed in black. It took me days to think about how to paint. When I saw Johnny Cash's bio on Ovation TV, I immediately knew what and how to start the painting. Hope you will see the rhythm of Big River when you are enjoying the painting.

For Anna Z.

Ralphs on Cloverfield Avenue is where I get grocery. Second day after my arrival, I met Anna. She is a cashier at Ralphs. Today, I left a note to her at Ralphs, and I hope that she will contact me for participating this project.

I went to Ralphs yesterday (9/18), the manager told me that he had already passed the word to Anna. However, until today (9/19) I still have not yet heard from Anna.

For Jan Williamson

18th Street
21.2 x 29 cm
acrylic on paper
sue-ching you © 2008

Jan has been working at the 18th Street Arts Center for 14-15 years. We went to Tacos Por Favors this afternoon. I asked her to participate my project. Surely I could have picked someone more distance than the staff from the Center. But I think the distance from Taipei to Santa Monica is long enough, isn't it?

Jan asked me to paint either a favorite street corner here or a plant that I have never seen in Taiwan. She is going to send the painting to a friend of her in Minnesota. Before Jan works at the Center, they were colleagues and became close friends. Now her friend is one of the donors of the Center. Jan told me that the painting would be a nice gift to thank to her support.

For Lola del Fresno

Love and Freedom

21.5 x 29.2 cm
acrylic on paper
sue-ching you © 2008

I met Lola at the Tacos Por Favor on Olympic and 14th. She was with Yoshi, Director of Santa Monica Art Studios. She is an artist, too. She creates large scale paintings on paper and mounted on cavas over wooden panel. I might see her on the open studio night this coming Saturday.

Lola wants me to paint something related to a heart and love, love + freedom.

Lola called and asked about why I painted her request as a woman in a pool. I told her that heart for expression of love has been used too often. If I paint a figure and you can feel her heart for love and freedom, then I think I have achieved what I want to deliver.

note from 11/11:
Lola came and picked up her painting on Sunday 11/9. We chat a bit. She is from Spain and has been living in Santa Monica for 3 years. She also lived in NYC for 3.5 years before she came to LA. Her projects are just like a projection of herself-elegant, delicate, spiritual; ambitious but remain low profile. Like Yvette, Lola creates large scale paintings, and I think it would be great to introduce them to know each other.

Phone

Phone
21.5 x 29cm
acrylic on paper
sue-ching you © 2008

For Ed Rockett

At the Creek
29 x 21.7 cm
acrylic on paper
sue-ching you © 2008



" Good morning, oh! I guess it is good afternoon!"
I run into Ed 10 to 12pm today on the parking lot. Ed is from Knockinclash Productions, and he is at the 18th Street Studio participating project from Continuum Movement. He is going to think about what to paint and tell me later.

Today, 9/13, I got a note from Ed. He wants me to paint "an impression of a dragonfly flying through a heartiful, natural creekside."