Boards for Change

My favorite interview this past week was with the sports reporter at my station, Lina Washington. I feel very fortunate to be in a position where I not only get to tell stories and give people and organizations a platform to tell them, but also have the space to use my own curiosity and inclinations to push forward and shed a light on important issues and causes.

In Lina’s case, she is one of 3 women who spearheaded a project called “Boards for Change.” The effort was spawned as a response to the recent calls for justice and change in our communities. Many businesses felt a need to board up their storefront because of opportunists and other non-peaceful indiviuals who were using the situation as a chance to vandalize and destroy property. So, Boards for Change paired artists with business owners to add some beauty and color to the wooden window shields, which also served as another outlet to spread messages about social justice.

It was awesome to talk to Lina about it on my show because she is very passionate and outspoken. I think a lot of times as people who work in media or on TV, we feel like we can’t be too visible when supporting certain social causes or events. But, in this case, Lina’s project has garnered so much well-deserved attention and really took on a life of it’s own. Boards for Change has also partnered with the MLS Sacramento Republic FC. The artwork is being displayed in the (empty) stands at the field and an auction is being held to raise money for the under-served youth in the community and all the funds collected will stay local.

All this to say, I’m super proud of my ABC10 colleague and when I get to do interviews like this, it certainly puts a smile on my face.

Troy Simmons at Context Art Fair

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I couldn’t be more excited for Troy Simmons and his solo show at the Context Art Fair. I met Troy some years back through his wife who is also in the TV biz and since then I’ve become more familiar with his art, and it’s just so impressive how far he has been able to take his craft through his hard work and dedication. And – early December in Miami is kind of a big deal in the art world when Art Basel sets up shop and the world’s focus on art shift to the spotlight on South Florida. Congratulations to Troy and I wish him continued success!!

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See the official press release below.

Local artist Troy Simmons has immersed himself in his latest artwork, exploring the evolution of urbanism and nature’s persistence to coexist. A consistent theme, which echoes true to his intense fascination with nature and modern Brutalist Architecture.

Under the direction of JanKossen Contemporary Art Gallery in Basel, Switzerland, Simmons will showcase his new concrete work during a solo show at CONTEXT Miami Art Fair December 2nd-7th at booth #E75. He will also have several pieces on display at SCOPE Art Show Miami Beach.

His massive, large-scale concrete canvases are a mix of acrylic paints and raw materials. At first glance, the magnitude of his work is clearly realized. Most of his pieces weigh more than 100 pounds. A rough and raw relationship often described as a cataclysmic illustration of urbanism.

Simmons calls his work a “re-incarnation of the Arte Povera genre” where the inclusion of simple natural elements, such as wood and soil takes an integral part in the creation of the art. His intended goal is to create a playful mix of the hard and soft, expressing the ideological perceptions of binary relationships.

Rochi Llaneza, Former Executive Director of Hardcore Contemporary Art, curated his first show in Miami in 2009. She says, “Creating an algorithm of inspired imagery, Simmons’ connection to his ecological charged pieces is clearly reflected in his use of re-purposed materials.”

The inspiration behind his latest collection evolved after a recent trip to Germany. He spent time with his wife’s family exploring Baden-Wurttemberg in the southern part of the country. The postwar architecture is a fragmentation of Germany’s traditional heritage mixed with simple modern construction.

Simmons currently works as a full-time artist, but his educational background is in Architecture and Environmental Science. He studied at Sam Houston State University and worked as an Environmental Lab Technician in Houston, Texas. He later went on to Oklahoma State University and earned a degree in Architectural Design.

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Simmons is a Resident Artist at the Bakehouse Artist Complex in Miami’s Wynwood Art District. Sample of his current work at www.TroySimmonsStudio.com.

OTF: Gallery 85

The San Francisco 49ers Vernon Davis recently celebrated the Grand Opening of his very own Gallery 85 art gallery at Santana Row in San Jose. On the Flipside, in association with Bay Tiger Productions, was there for exclusive coverage of the star-studded event! Press play for some of the red carpet highlights!! And visit On The Flipside for more exclusive video segments.

Painting With A Twist

Last Saturday night, we celebrated my dear friend and Deco Producer Odette’s birthday by getting our creative juices flowing at a new concept “store” called Painting with a Twist! I checked out the website before I went (they have locations in city’s all over the country), BUT honestly, I didn’t think I could really create a true masterpiece work of art!! LOL The idea is you bring a group of friends and your own wine..then paint, drink and be merry!!

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Luckily we had a very patient master artist leading our class..he’s also a former Deco Producer..Eric! He asked if we had ever painted before, I thought about my childhood “paint by number” and water color sets….then I asked if murals/posters, etc.. for high school rallies count?? haha  I’m sure at some point I have painted even if it was an adolescent art class. Anyway, birthday girl Odette chose a moonlit ocean/palm tree scene, and step by step we each put paint on the canvass to make our own (re)creation!

This was really a fun way to hang out and feel artistic and use the other side of our brain…. 🙂 We learned different brush strokes, how to make colors and I’m happy to say everyone was able to complete the task!!

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SEEE! Yes…I PAINTED THAT!!! And — here’s a closer look…

I can’t wait to hang it up in the closet!! j/k So, if you’re looking for something else to do on a fun night out with a twist…give this a try, PAINTING WITH A TWIST!! You will be amazed at what you can do, all by yourself!