The Work and Progress of Our Darling June

The Latest Project(s)

productjune — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 18:35:15 +0000

So I’ve been pretty hard at work. Working the day job mostly and then sneaking to the studio under the cover of darkness to paint in the North Side. After reflecting about a critique I had in school about a year ago I started making greeting cards… I’m not sure where that is going but it is fun to draw and paint tiny cute pictures. This weekend will be the mass cataloging of work old and new and the start of editing my portfolio of the last couple years. Keep an eye out for more in about a week or two.

The most important project to mention is the one most dear to my heart. As I have mentioned before I work for Community Human Services and gotten involved in some of the projects in our Homeless Assistance program. Erica Smith is the coordinator of a program called Operation Save a Life which makes weekly rounds on the North Side and Downtown Pittsburgh giving out food and clothing, and offering resources to those in our community that suffer from homelessness. I try to volunteer as much as possible in the effort. I was lucky to have the opportunities and experiences I’ve had in my short time – but I never had such a perspective on life until I starting walking with Erica and other volunteers.

After an article on the blog Pittsburgh Dish , Erica has received funding to create on a homeless newspaper she’s titled Word On The Street. Street newspapers can be found in most major cities in different states but hers will be the only one between New York and Ohio. Once I heard about this project I had to be a part of it. Within the first meeting there was a mission statement that is as follows: “Empowering people through employment who have been and are experiencing homelessness while providing a creative forum to educate the public concerning vital local issues.” We’ve had three meetings so far and with each one, things are starting to come together. Articles will reflect the different perspectives concerning issues of homelessness here in Pittsburgh. I’m working on a logo and an article concerning the rights of those living on the streets. There are sections such as politics, art/culture, and op-ed and contributions from people who have or are suffering from homelessness. The most important section though is the resource pages. There will be information for those needing assistance as well as opportunities for those looking to help in some way, (donations/volunteering.)

The biggest thing this paper needs now though is exposure. The newspaper is currently looking for people interested in advertising. Ad space has already started to sell but the more the better. The hope is that services that we are currently unaware of can be better publicized to those that need them most and revenue generated by advertising can sustain the paper. If anyone out there knows someone/ has a suggestion please let me know!

As far as rates go – they are very inexpensive – I have all the rates in a very nice little sheet to share but an example of one would be a Standard 5×3 in size ad is as follows: One issue – $20, 3 months – $25, 6 months – $50, 1 year – $100.

The goal is to get the paper out by the end of the summer!

So friends near and far – this is what I’m up to. I have never felt so good about a project – or my personal practice. Those of you that are closer to the ‘Burgh, keep an eye out for a newspaper from one of the vendors! It’s only a dollar – and as cheesy as it sounds each paper sold makes a difference. For those of you afar at least you are caught up! Keep me in touch – I send out this link to a lot of you and I want to know what’s going on! That’s enough exclamation points!!

Catch Up

productjune — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 20:14:14 +0000

The past three months has been a bevy of activity. I’ve changed jobs, pushed harder in my studio, and started making headway on getting my work out of said studio and into the garish light of day.

Part of the last effort has been working pretty hard to pull some things together including an application for the Sprout Fund mural project and making arraignments to attend Art on the Green in Gloucester, Virginia. Below, I have featured works in progress as well as provided a link to another blog, 2 Stop Push, which highlighted the Firehouse Studios where I’m working out of.

I do want to mention a few different events going on here in the city that I would love to be at and I hope that you would want to as well…

First something going on here at the community center I work at:

The People’s Flea Market

Friday, May 2

10:00 AM – 2:00 PM

@ Community Human Services

374 Lawn Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15213

This is essentially a yard sale where people will donate items to be sold and all proceeds go to benefit those we serve here at Community Human Services. If you want to donate items, (clothing/household items,) call 412-621-4706 for more info.

It’s a good cause and you can use to opportunity to get rid of your extra desk lamp or unwanted clothes!

NEXT:

Two events at the ToonSeum on the North Side. Click to blow up the image.

Now for the Documentation:

Works Forever in Progress – Click to look closer.

Back Online

productjune — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 02:53:17 +0000

As the headline suggests I have had some issues accessing the internet in the past week and a half. Well, as the days have become shorter so has the life expectancy of my dear four and a half year old Powerbook G4. Now the blue screen of death is glazed across my loyal laptop and I am sitting in the University of Pittsburgh’s Hillman Library attempting to catch up online.

In other (better) news, the mural is now completed on Lawn Street and the evidence is featured below. Saturday morning I was faced with the hard decision of either painting in near freezing weather that day or painting in the frigid and drizzly weather the next day. It was painful and difficult but I completed everything Saturday before sundown and can’t be more happy and relieved. Sunday was then open for studio time in the North Side of our fair city, (evidence of studio progress currently pending.)

Today I had the privilege of taking a sneak peak at the upcoming Nick Cave show at the Society for Contemporary Craft. Upon entering the gallery I saw to my left a runway like display of about 10-15 ‘Sound Suits’ all with various construction methods. Some are hand beaded in a variety of gorgeous sparkling colors with large matching helmets resting on the shoulders of the mannequins meeting at a point high above the viewer. Others are made of long haired fur pelts that are carefully combed and clean looking – easily reminding anyone of Chewbaca or a Muppet but not in a bad way… The most impressive are the two suits with large metal attachments- one a bird theme and the other flowers – resting atop the shoulder area and travel down the back. Inside a small alcove behind this ‘runway’ was a small darkened area featuring a video performance caught on tape at an orchestrated event in Chicago. Cave and his students are depicted dancing wildly in the streets among viewers that bob along to the beat. The opening reception is tomorrow from 5:30 till 7ish at The Society for Contemporary Craft at 2100 Smallman Street Pittsburgh, PA 15222. ( In the Strip District)

Otherwise this Friday being the first Friday of the month means Unblurred on Penn Ave. tomorrow night. check out more and subscribe to emails from the Penn Avenue Arts Initiative.

Also keep in mind to check up on the Pittsburgh Filmmakers schedule of events. There isn’t just hard to find/experimental/independent/and or amazing movies every week but also a gallery featuring local photographers and other artists in the North Oakland location on Melwood Ave. This is right in your neighborhood for most of you people – whether you live in Regent Square, Oakland/ surrounding area, or closer to Downtown.

There is a lot more to write about but I feel others accomplish this better, (plus they have better access to computers right now.) Please give some of the new links I’ve listed on the site a chance.

I save the best news for last. As of yesterday afternoon I have accepted a position as Administrative Assistant at CHS in Oakland. This means salary, benefits, and a regular schedule for your’s truly- plus they have mentioned a want to tap into my creative/resourceful abilities so that BFA doesn’t go to waste. I couldn’t be more excited. (!!!)

Now for the Evidence:

Mural

Photographs courtesy of Bryan Barbee

Nick Cave

Local Events and Updates

productjune — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 00:54:05 +0000

As I sit in the most comfortable leather chair ever made I notice that I have yet to update this week. Then I realize I haven’t had time to do even the simplest of chores seeing as if I’m not at work I’m at the mural trying to finish up. It’s been a very very very busy few weeks but hopefully I can be more attentive after finishing on Lawn Street this week.

First some local events of interest:

If you haven’t checked out the current show at Moxie Dada, then get your butt up to 1416 Arch Street on the North Side and see ‘Ardent Heart.’ The paintings by Joshua Hogan are very powerful and thoughtfully created – very much worth checking out. Also Moxie Dada sports a little store with lots of great pieces of art both functional and decorative that make creative gifts for Christmas. Check out their website for hours and other info.

Also if you haven’t checked out the little artist collective up in Bellevue do so! Creative TreeHouse is always having events so hit up their website and make the trip out there – it’s not that far.

Another place celebrating glass this year is the Society for Contemporary Craft. A friend of mine just recently got a job here which is how I discovered this little place in the Strip District on Smallman Street. Transformation 6 is the current show featuring glass work by contemporary sculptors. The show ends the 24th of this month so make sure to get a look while you still can. After this show is Gerry Denin and his ceramic work including some interesting teapots. Then they will be hosting Nick Cave – a fiber artist from Chicago – and his ‘sound suits’ opening on the 7th of December. this gallery also features a store with some great items for the upcoming holiday.

As far as myself and my own work the mural should be finished by the end of this coming week, (photos coming soon.) Then it’s back to my studio above Moxie Dada and my panel paintings. I have two going so far and they feature my funky charters that some of you are familiar with in disturbing but colorful environments. They’re small, (largest one is 8″x12″) so it will be a nice change from working on a huge mural outside.

More Later.

Mural on Lawn Street – The Evidence

productjune — Mon, 12 Nov 2007 05:40:36 +0000

I’ve spent the past couple weeks either working or painting on Lawn St. in South Oakland. I have to say I really do enjoy being there but fighting the cold and the limited sunlight has been difficult. A friend of mine who stopped by and kept me company mentioned that this probably was the largest undertaking I’ve ever had which is true – but it has been one of the most rewarding.

So here are some images of the mural. To give you all some reference the assignment was a mural involving the kids of this community center. My idea was to create a colorful, flat, and funky representation of the mural that the kids could fill in and then I would go over with details. It’s on both brick and a wood board. The ceiling has stars that were each cut outs made by the kids and painted on to the ceiling. Click on each thumbnail to take a look.

Burlesque Life Drawing in Pittsburgh

productjune — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 21:43:56 +0000

A friend of mine sent this to me a couple days ago. I know I’ll be there especially if I can get the day off. It’s November 12th which is a Monday and it’s at Gypsy Cafe on the South Side off of Carson St. I’ve copied the press release below – hope to see you there!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Burlesque Life Drawing Comes to Pittsburgh.

When many artists think “life drawing,” they think of sterile rooms, bad lighting, and bored, silent, models with nary a hint of personality. Dr. Sketchy’s Anti Art School is here to change all that.

Dr. Sketchy’s Anti-Art School is the little New York art event that became a movement. Started in 2005 by artist and burlesque dancer Molly Crabapple, the concept is simple. Artist’s draw glamorous burlesque dancers, roller derby girls, and even belly dancers compete in contests, and win wacky prizes. From it’s humble Brooklyn beginnings, Dr. Sketchy’s now has 30 branches around the globe, including Hollywood, London, Rome, Tokyo, and now Pittsburgh.

Artist and performer Joe Wos is bringing Dr. Sketchy’s to Pittsburgh. The sessions will feature burlesque babes, roller derby girls, and fetish models, along with contests, prizes and alcohol galore. Cartoonist, illustrators and artist of all kinds are invited to participate in a atmosphere of decadent creativity.

The Pittsburgh November session will feature roller derby girls, La Diabla and Damage Dahl and presenting feature pinup girl and Dr. Sketchy Pittsburgh spokesmodel Miss Ashley Stone. Entertainment will be provided by DJ Zombo.

Since it’s inception in ’05, Dr. Sketchy’s has received coverage from the likes of The LA Times, The Washington Post, The Village Voice, WNBC, Time Out London, Time Out New York, and The New Yorker.

Dr. Sketchy’s will happen Monday November 12th, 8:00pm at the fabulous Gypsy Café on the Southside. 1330 Bingham Street. Suggested donation of $10 benefits the ToonSeum Gallery. A museum gallery dedicated to the cartoon arts. ###

Web Link: http://www.drsketchy.com <http://www.drsketchy.com/> (Founding

branch)

www.myspace.com/drsketchypgh <http://www.myspace.com/drsketchysatlanta>

(Pittsburgh branch)

Contact Information

(FOUNDER) Molly Crabapple

Phone: 917-907-2150

Email: mollycrabapple@gmail.com <mailto:mollycrabapple@gmail.com>

(Pittsburgh Organizer) Joe Wos

Phone: 412-760-1896

Email: joe@drsketchypgh.com

Lawn Street Mural – ‘The Stars’

productjune — Sat, 03 Nov 2007 05:17:44 +0000

As many friends, family, and perfect strangers know – I’m working on a mural in South Oakland on Lawn Street for Community Human Services Youth Programs.

It’s in their sheltered entrance and it’s actually going quite well. In fact, today I applied the homemade stars to the ceiling as each of the kids took turns holding a Styrofoam cup with black paint.

Pictures of the piece are coming soon – I just wanted to gush slightly about one of the funnest projects I have worked on in a while. These kids are great and them seem really excited about having someone coming in a few times a week to paint on their walls.

More Later…

The First of Many

productjune — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 22:14:30 +0000

Posting here regularly is an attempt to document the current and future projects and post announcements all referring to the work of Genevieve Barbee producing under the simpler name of June. This is also and attempt stay connected to the little but active art scene here in the Steel City.
For the ‘maiden voyage’ I would like to update the Pittsburgh public on some events around town this month that should be looked into – they all should be really interesting/neat/other exciting adjective.

The Haunted Treehouse@ The Creative TreeHouse

Saturday 3rd November 2007

Art Exhibit, Music, and More – check out their website

517 Lincoln Ave. 2nd Floor Bellevue, PA

(Just outside the city take the 500 or

16B bus out to Lincoln and Freemont.)
Joshua Hogan Exhibition at Moxie Dada

Saturday 3rd November 2007 – Saturday 1st December 2007

Reception Saturday 10th November 2007

1416 Arch St. Pittsburgh, PA (On the North Side)

This is actually where my current studio is located and if you attend any openings or wander through during regular gallery hours you can check it out. It’s located above the gallery space amongst several potter’s studios.
More later.