Hoshi Hana Studios

Faerie Book Project

2011-08-10T19:44:00.000-07:00

After a month of complete focus, the Faerie book has a new cover and pages layed out in InDesign software. Will it be an ebook? The coffee table art book that Lady Chimmerly and I have envisioned? We hope both! Annie Sprinkle, one of our most favorite artists of all time has agreed to do the foreword and our dream is getting to be a reality! At least the design part is very close to done. The project looks like a book and the illustrations are complete. We are currently taking pre-orders for the first edition so if you would like to be sure to get a copy, please email us here: info@hoshihana.com

As for the artwork a day project. It ended at day #23. The Faerie book took over and now it's time to move focus onto other projects at hand. Next up is a photography book that friends are going to either love or hate. Hopefully love because it consists of photos of them doing crazy, creative, and fascinating things.

An Artwork a Day: #23: Los Angeles View - City Hall

2011-07-19T23:52:00.000-07:00

Click to see larger image

Sometimes it's a surprise to remember that Los Angeles means "the Angels" when the place can be so chaotic and sadly filled with so many have-nots. It has one of the highest homeless populations in the world. L.A. might be a real angel's testing ground to see who will be able to come through and be a decent person despite all of the temptations of drugs, fame and easy money. Regardless, it's a warm, and beautiful place, close to the ocean, mountains, and there's so much culture here. A child who grows up in Los Angeles will learn to live among peoples of many mixed cultures, more so than probably any where else in the world.

Photograph: 2003
Film type: Polaroid 400 instant 35mm black and white silde film

An Artwork a Day: #22: The Polaroid 110A Camera

2011-07-19T00:08:00.000-07:00

This camera was a beautiful treasure gifted by a friend who had found it in his basement. It happened to be the exact camera needed to proof flash photographs taken in the studio. Back in the day, before digital cameras, photographers used polaroid cameras like this one to "check" their exposures. You'd set up your shot and check shutter timing and lens openings along with film speed to make sure you were going to get the shot you wanted. Flash photography could be very unpredictable, you never knew exactly where weird shadows would show up or if your lighting set up was right. Using the polaroid would give insurance that the photos you were taking on your film camera were going to come out the way you wanted them to.

After receiving the camera, it had to have the back section modified to fit the polaroid film packets available at the time. The black section is the modified area and not original to the camera.

This particular model was probably made in the 1960's. It was solid metal with a Carl Zeiss lense. The logo on the built in lense cover was gorgeous.

One of the type of films available for this camera allowed for black and white photography. Not only could you get a black and white snap shot but a negative would accompany the image and you could use it to develop photographs.

If you wanted to change film packets, you had to place the camera into a light proof changing bag and change out the films. To develop the black and white negative, you had to keep a container of water close by and wash off the negative.

With digital photography, things are much simpler, you can adjust everything on your camera and proof images from a lighting set up right there in the camera. These old polaroids are now obsolete and the films are no longer available.

It was alot of fun learning how to use the 110A tho. It was a beautiful machine. You get a great understanding of photography starting from the basics. This camera had a great run and helped a lot of photos get made.

An Artwork a Day: #21: Allowing the Good to Appear

2011-07-17T23:52:00.000-07:00

Good things are around all the time. When you are feeling sad, look for what is good. That way, you’ll always have something to be thankful for - and this will keep you strong.

An Artwork a Day: #20: Scenes from Little Tokyo Design Week

2011-07-16T23:43:00.000-07:00

A visit to Los Angeles Little Tokyo's Design week was so inspiring!

http://www.ltdesignweek.com/

In front of the Museum of Contemporary Art were small storage pods containing displays of robots, and city plans. There was this adorable mobile farm that gave the show an organic, funky atmosphere to the surroundings.

These bicycles are attached to the farm of organic herbs and vegetables planted in the waist high garden.

Walking into the courtyard of the Japan American Cultural Center were more storage pods of art displays. This one had the most beautifully rendered animation by an artist named Koji Morimoto. The artwork was mind boggling and the animation incredibly sophisticated.

This structure from Daiwa Housing, from Japan, was the size and shape of an ordinary shipping container. It is a portable emergency housing unit complete with solar energy panels, portable energy battery storage unit, kitchen, non water toilette, and sleeping and work area at the top. The entire unit sets up in 4 minutes once it is placed. The set up includes the outside shell lifting to create a second floor for the sleeping area. It was designed to help anyone with housing needs with quick response. Multiple units can be shipped via truck, boat, or plane. Daiwa Housing's displays were incredibly impressive. They also design homes that are prefabricated by robots in their factory, built to be completely green and self sustaining!

Many displays focused on how people had to cope with the tsunami in Japan. Here is a D battery that was fashioned out of an AA battery modified with paper and coins with tape.

A cooking stove made out of aluminum cans, tooth picks and salad oil.

Spoons made of milk cartons and plastic bottles.

A soccer ball made of newspaper and tape.

Giant Robot had a cool little pop up store in one of the containers.

Reporting today from the city of the Angels.

An Artwork a Day: #19: An Appreciation of 3 Day Stubble

2011-07-15T23:55:00.000-07:00

Tonight the world's premiere nerd rock back of all time is celebrating 30 years of nerditity at the Hemlock Tavern in Northern California. It's hard not to want to be there! Here are some photos from a concert at San Francisco's Purple Onion Night Club in 1994. Their awesome website features a nerd rock juke box so you can hear their bizarre, artful, original sounds:

http://www.threedaystubble.com/e/Home.html

Brently and Mr. Hungry

Sal

Lance

Donald

An Artwork a Day: #18: Finishing the Faerie book!

2011-07-14T23:45:00.000-07:00

There are some projects that are a long time coming. There are strange obstacles that might prevent a work from seeing light. At times there is the question, is this worth doing? Regardless, art must be made. It's not logical. It's about passion.
Here's the first page to a project that will hopefully see at the end of the tunnel very soon. (Text by Lady Chimmerly)

An Artwork a Day: #17: Visiting Hannah

2011-07-13T23:17:00.000-07:00

Hannah is one of the most inspiring women!

She designs wonderful hand made clothing at www.madewithlovebyhannah.com and has created a beautiful environment in which to make them in. We are working on a short film together, documenting her art processes.

These are stills from our first day of shooting.

An Artwork a Day: #16: How Did We Get Here? & Where are We Going?

2011-07-12T23:38:00.000-07:00

This piece was created today. The idea was to consider the wonders of space and life merging. Though science has so many amazing ways of describing the evolution of life, it's still a crazy mystery. The infinity of space is a grand mystery as well...

An Artwork a Day: #15: A Treasure Chest of Love Blooms

2011-07-11T11:17:00.000-07:00

This poster was designed as a homage to the sun and sea. Surfing, and playing in the waves is a fun, adventure. It's a experience that cleanses the soul and allows for an appreciation of the exquisite beauty of nature. Mermaids play with jelly fish. A globe in the middle plots out a south sea journey. The treasure chest symbolizes that the bounty of the sea and sun are riches beyond compare.

60% of POSTER SALE - TODAY ONLY:
For anyone who might like a copy of this artwork, the Hoshi Hana Zazzle store is able to offer a 60% discount on posters but this is only for today. Please click on any image in the panel below. If you click on a poster design, the price will come up as $134. This is incorrect, if you click on the other size options, you'll see that the prices range from $10.30 and up. With the discount, that's about $4 for the smallest 11 x14 inch option. Prices are already reasonable if you'd like to pick one up later but discounts are always nice. Enjoy and thanks for your support!

Design a personalized gift at Zazzle.

Inspiring Artists: Sakube Yamamoto

2011-07-11T02:14:00.000-07:00

Last year, artist and former coal miner Sakube Yamamoto's collection of 589 paintings, 65 diaries, 15 notebooks/memoradum books and 28 papers and assorted documents, were entered into the United Nations MEMORY OF THE WORLD REGISTER.

"Sakubei Yamamoto (1892-1984) lived with his family at the coal mines of the Chikuho region in Kyushu from the age of seven, was apprenticed to a pickaxe smith at a mine in 1904 when he was 12, and worked variously as a mine blacksmith and miner until the age of 63 in 1955, when he became a

security guard at a mine and started painting his memories, drawing information from his diaries. Sakubei Yamamoto had little formal education, but by the age of 21 in 1913 began keeping notebooks and diaries in which he recorded events...

It is highly unusual in a Japanese context as a private record created by a working man, whereas the dominant records of the period are official government and business papers. The Sakubei paintings have a rawness and immediacy that is totally missing from the official record, and the collection is a totally authentic personal view of a period of great historical significance to the world."

(-From http://www.unesco.org/new/fileadmin/MULTIMEDIA/HQ/CI/CI/pdf/mow/nomination_forms/japan_sakubei_yamamoto_collection.pdf)

Young Sakubei walking through a coal mine for the first time with his mother.

Yamamoto's work is a unique first hand depiction of life as a coal miner in an isolated mountain community in Japan. It documents ideologies, traditions, technologies and working conditions as they evolved throughout his lifetime. The images have the quality of walking through Yamamoto's life and seeing captured moments through his eyes. Experiencing his artwork and journal entries feels like departing into a magic portal into a forgotten past.

Yamamoto describes the dangers of the mining life.

He explains how in the early days, miners would work as a male and female team with men mining coal, and women collecting it.

Japan's transition into an industrialized country in a short amount of time is clearly documented from a lay person's perspective.

Glimpses into the social lives of the miners are an uncensored, first hand account of what was.

More info on Sakubei Yamamoto:

http://www.unesco.org/new/en/communication-and-information/flagship-project-activities/memory-of-the-world/register/full-list-of-registered-heritage/registered-heritage-page-8/sakubei-yamamoto-collection/

Info on the United Nations Memory of the World Database:
http://www.unesco.org/new/en/communication-and-information/flagship-project-activities/memory-of-the-world/homepage/

An Artwork a Day: #14: A Collaboration with Linda Montano

2011-07-10T23:59:00.000-07:00

Click on image for larger view

The above poster was designed using the text of artist extraordinaire, Linda Montano. (http://www.lindamontano.com/) It is her eyes that look at the top of the image and compel the reader to consider values in the areas of finances.

The text of the manifesto inspires meditation on how money is spent, through the artist's perspective. The goal in the design was to give a visual dignity to the writing while balancing the colors and design to heighten the magic in the meanings. Notice there are two number 7's in the manifesto? It wasn't intentional but was kept in as a lucky design element.

It was a thrill to know Ms. Montano really liked the final design. She is a living art treasure and legend. If you are not familiar with her work, check it out! She's totally inspiring. Her work will make you think about the variety of dimensions of life we choose to exist in.

The Money is Green Too Manifesto was designed for Elizabeth Stephens' and Annie Sprinkle's Eco-Sex Symposium2 which was held in San Francisco last month. The poster and other works from the symposium art exhibit will be on view through July 26th at the Center for Sex and Culture in San Francisco, California.

An Artwork a Day: #13: Dreams of Las Vegas

2011-07-09T21:16:00.000-07:00

Click to see larger image

This photo was taken in Las Vegas in 2008 during a very fun yet inexpensive and resourceful visit. With the economy the way it is, it's hard for people to leave and take time away from work. It's hard for most to consider luxuries and vacations when so many folks are just trying to survive! There is a lot of gratitude contained in this image with a mix of dreams of good times past and a remembrance that fun doesn't have to cost a lot and is best shared with friends.

Though it's a challenging era for many, how can we take the mood of our times with the resources we have and make something positive for all?

An Artwork a Day: #12: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People Graphic Design

2011-07-08T23:54:00.000-07:00

Click for larger view

The book, 7 Habits of Highly Effective People is a classic in personal and business growth. This above poster was designed to help those inspired by the ideas in the book remember the major ideas put forth in the 7 Habits. Of course, it's best to read the book to understand the concepts in depth but anyone can benefit from the above reminders on how to maintain balance in ones' life.

Here is a pdf link to the above poster for printing if you'd like a clean copy:
http://marikono.com/images/hh_blog/7%20Habits%20of%20Highly%20Effective%20Peops.tif.pdf

If you haven't read the book already, consider getting the audio version for long drives/commutes or while multi tasking.

An Artwork a Day: #11: New T-shirt Designs

2011-07-07T23:52:00.000-07:00

Working on finishing the Faerie book and also getting some new T-shirt designs created. Here's one from the new crop about friendship.

An Artwork a Day: #10: An Appreciation of Vaginal Davis

2011-07-06T23:44:00.000-07:00

Today was spent working on a Faerie book collaboration with Lady Chim. Though the one of Vaginal Davis above is complete, there is some final touching up of other images to do.

It was a nice surprise to see the image used for Vaginal's interview at the I Don't Like Mondays blog (http://idontlikemondaysblog.blogspot.com/2011/06/fashion-friend-legendary-miss-vaginal_29.html.) The image accompanies a sassy interview that does not disappoint.

An Artwork a Day: #9: Michiko Nobel Celebration

2011-07-05T23:56:00.000-07:00

Sometimes great art is about the natural way people come together to celebrate a friend and their love for them. They bring food, memories and show how much they care by just showing up and being nice. You can create a collage of people from different backgrounds and talents.

Above is an image from Los Angeles artist Michiko Noble's birthday party. For over 40 years she has helped many Japanese people immigrating into Los Angeles feel welcome to the city of the angels. Giving helpful advice on anything from the best deli to the most delicious desserts, to finding a place to live, she's inspired many people coming into a new place to see it through the eyes of an artist.

Mrs. Noble was trained in Japan as a painter and is diverse in her ability to draw and paint in many styles. She attended Art Center in Pasadena, CA and taught art in her early years in L.A. Below are examples of her work as well as her amazing series of horse illustrations.

An Artwork a Day: #8: Number 4

2011-07-04T22:47:00.000-07:00

Click for larger view

This number 4 is part of an ongoing number series that will eventually go up to one hundred. The number four: quadrilaterals, four seasons, four square, 2+2, 2x2, 2 squared, the first non prime number and the number of knees only the Elephant has claim to. Here is a four for July 4th! Happy Bday America!

Size: 8" x 10"

Materials: vintage rusted frame, acrylic paint, pencil

An Artwork a Day: #7: Happy Independence Day!

2011-07-03T23:07:00.000-07:00

click for larger view

Here's to everyone's enjoying a relaxing, fun, and beautiful Holiday weekend!

Size:9.5 x 10.5
Materials: gold ink, arcylic and water color paint, stencils, Japanese sign board

An Artwork a Day: #6: Zero

2011-07-02T21:24:00.000-07:00

Click on image for enlarged view

This number zero was created on May 21, 2011, then framed and matted and photographed today. May 21st of this year was being referred to as the Rapture, or Judgement Day so when it came, the most appropriate action seemed to be a contemplation of the end and the beginning, thus, Zero. At first, the frame chosen for the number was black with a purple matt. It was too dower. The bright yellow and orange matts with the small glitter hearts are more in alignment with the kind of future that might allow everyone to be happy.

Framed Size: 8.5 x 10.5
Materials: archival matt board, Windsor-Newton water color paper, glitter, water color, india ink, arcylic paint

An Artwork a Day: #5: We are all on the Same Planet

2011-07-01T20:34:00.000-07:00

You can click on the painting to see it larger - w/ more detail :)

This painting is about how we are all on the same planet, living in the same world, coexisting, floating through space together.

Painting size: 12" x 12
Materials: Glue, arcylic paints, air brush inks, glitter, plastic stars, gloss medium on canvas board

An Artwork a Day: #4: Opihi Shell Love

2011-06-30T23:41:00.000-07:00

The opihi shell in today's artwork was obtained from a young man sitting on a small cloth in the middle of a botanical gardens - near a beautiful water fall on the Big Island of Hawaii.

He was sitting on the cloth with just a few beautiful opihi shells displayed before him. People wood hike through the botanical gardens and ask him about his wares. It was hilarious to watch because he would refuse to sell anything if he felt the person wanting to obtain the shell was not a right fit. In other words, he needed to know the shell was going to a good home and he wasn't about to let just anyone buy his work. It was an interesting prospect to watch him go about his business, interacting with people as they hiked by and visited with him.

It felt like a great honor to receive this beautiful shell featured above. The opihi shell he said, was not easily obtained and took a great deal of strength to gather. He would spend many hours shining his shells into beautiful jewels. The one above was an opihi shell in it's natural state.

Looking at this opihi shell and memories of the man and his business ideals brings fond smiles to mind. Here's some beautiful music from Ledward Kaapana

playing the classic slack key guitar song written by Leonard Kwan "Opihi Moe Moe" that beautifully explains the love of the islands and the love contained in the shell.

Artwork size:5.25 x 4"
Materials Used: Pine wooden plaque, liquid nails, brass metal pieces, opihi shell, wood sealer

Artwork of the Day: Looking at Death in the Face

2011-06-29T21:26:00.000-07:00

Today's piece is about contemplating that life is not forever. It is a finite circumstance. People gradually get old and youth is over. It seems so sad in a way. Time goes by so quickly and really great people get sick and die. Some will die before they get a chance to become old. The prospect of death is frightening and mysterious and yet it is a fact of life. Contemplation of death - how does one want to die, what are the memories we want to have had before the end is a reality?

Size:5" x 7.5"
Materials: Acrylic paint, brass metal pieces, recycled frame

Artwork of the Day: Where to Begin

2011-06-28T19:27:00.000-07:00

(Click to see larger image:

http://www.marikono.com/images/hh_blog/wheretobegin.jpg)

Today's piece is about those times when we have so much to do but are so overwhelmed, it's hard to know where to start. Many people in the current economy are losing jobs and having to start life all over again, looking into new careers and lifestyles. Life can seem so overwhelming, that some are resorting to death and depression. It's a time that requires mental maneuvering.

It's all how a situation is looked at. The scorpion at the top of the image can be a horrible enemy willing to sting or a symbol of cunning, veracity. There is a person emerging from the bone yard in the foreground analyzing the way ahead.

Where to Begin is about the willingness to keep fighting the good fight regardless of seemingly insurmountable obstacles. It acknowledges the power of looking at life with the perspective of one's choice.

The piece was composed on Windsor and Newton watercolor paper and painted with dark tones of blues and reds. It is enclosed in a re-used frame decorated with grape vines and sized 8" x 10"
Materials: found images of a bone yard, and southwest landscape, Lotteria card image of a scorpion, archival glue, and yellow glitter.

An Artwork a Day

2011-06-27T15:57:00.000-07:00

As of today, Monday, June 27th, 2011 regardless of how busy life gets or how insane my schedule is, or wherever I am in the world, I'm going to make an artwork daily and post it here before the midnight clock strikes. So here we begin...
Today's work is titled, Prosperity Knock. It was inspired by an episode of the news show 60 minutes that aired last night about children growing up in families experiencing hard times.

One father after not being able to find any work to support his five children, in desperation resorted to taking out a piece of card board, making a sign and standing by the road asking for help. He got a job because a lady saw his sign and contacted him about work a week later.

A young man who had grown up homeless, had to leave the first family who had ever shown him love when he turned 18 -because of their economic hard times. He got through it with help from caring people at his school and community who supplied him with scholarships for college and a place to stay. (http://www.cbsnews.com/video/watch/?id=7358648n)

Prosperity Knock is about allowing oneself to become vulnerable and receive help when it is needed while at the same time doing the work that is necessary to make good happen.

The piece was composed on a found piece of composite quarter inch thick wood 3.75" x 6.75"
Materials: found cut out image, archival glue, piece of silver doily, pins, copper wire, fortune from a Chinese restaurant cookie

Part of this daily art project will consist of making artwork constructed only by material I find in my studio.

New Summer Time Designs

2009-06-27T19:59:00.000-07:00

Just made some new summer time designs and uploaded them today at the Hoshi Hana Zazzle shop.
Use code JUNESHIPFREE for free shipping through June 30th!

http://www.zazzle.com/marikono*

Pirate Summer

2009-06-13T12:07:00.000-07:00

This new piece is called, "Pirate Summer."

It's about looking forward to the new warm season of adventures, sea shores, waves, and fun!

New designs for St. Patrick's and also for Good Luck!

2009-03-14T19:00:00.000-07:00

The design idea just occured out of the blue, interlock four green hearts to create a lucky clover! A simple design and easy to read message. It is fun working between complicated image-oriented collages and then doing these very simplified graphics. Probably a manifestation of Japanese aesthetic influence of colorful bric-brac versus minimalism.

create & buy custom products at Zazzle

Happy President's Day 2009!

2009-02-16T09:15:00.000-08:00

Wow! It's already February 16, President's Day 2009! Here's a new design to celebrate our times.

Thanks to everyone who has been supporting www.hoshihana.com!

The studio store has many new products. The snowman flashing the peace sign here is wearing a new creation and is rocking it. If you want to look as cool as Frosty here, check out this link: http://www.zazzle.com/snow_peacebrown_hoshihana_com_hat-148965969245667013),

The aim of all these products serves not only the purpose of making a living for the studio, but also making available tools that allow people to find and share peace and love in the moments of a day: T-shirts, and other items that spread a positive message that you can have fun with.

If you are having difficulty with your life, be it finances or relationships or what have you, keep your head up and remember to spread the love. You reap what you sow. So sow something good. Take Care.

Happy 2009~~~!

2009-01-01T21:35:00.000-08:00

A lovely snowflake falls from the sky and onto the earth.

Philosophy on Art

2008-08-23T19:13:00.000-07:00

Hoshi Hana Studios creates art with the desire to serve the purpose of bringing more love, peace and understanding to the entire planet and beyond. The whole point of subjecting anyone to an image made at the studio is to share ideas that will nourish, show care, love and positivity to all intergalactic beings.

Fun with Zazzle

2008-05-07T22:23:00.000-07:00

Here's what's been cooking lately.

The Wisdom of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

2008-01-21T23:51:00.000-08:00

Every year, to celebrate Dr. King's birthday, I like to take the time to remember his message by listening to his speeches. Each time I hear him, I am amazed at the profound wisdom with which he spoke and inspired by what he had to say. His words are haunting and deep and reverberate with a depth that is noble in it's truth. A reminder of how powerful words can be. I found this photo that was originally taken by my father's friend Yoichi Okamoto, and juxtaposed it with the above quote which I really admire.