StumpTown Comic Festival this weekend!

Hi Everyone!I will be a part of StumpTown Comic Festival this weekend in Portland Oregon. I'm bringing all my hand made books that I've been working on at the silkscreen studio since January and also some hand made products!

I have a booth sharing it with Sara Varon and Jen Tong. Two of my favorite comic artists! So come down and say hello to us!!!

The 9th Annual Stumptown Comics Fest April 28 & 29, 2012 • Oregon Convention Center Sat. 10-6, Sun. 12-6 • Buy Tickets Now! at TicketsWest More info: http://www.stumptowncomics.com/comics-fest/

Here are some toto bags that I made for the festival! <Front> Front image is two Kokeshi chan And the back is mixed and match Kokeshi chan.

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"Playsam 500" at Super7 SF

Hello, There is a Charity Show this weekend at SF, Please come if you are in the area! The Charity for the Playsam 500 goes to The World Childhood Foundation https://www.childhood-usa.org/

>>> Super7 is proud to announce Playsam 500, a Custom Toy Show featuring 59 different artists from 5 different nations, decorating and customizing the iconic Playsam Streamliner Car to benefit charity.

Join us Saturday, April 28th at 7PM Pacific to check out all the custom

Streamliner Cars Featuring: Andrew Bell, Arbito, Clayton Bailey, Dacosta!, Super Cooper Berella, Beast Brothers, Betso, Kat Brunegraff, 64 Colors, Carson Catlin, DrilOne, Tristan Eaton, Brian Flynn, George Gaspar, Paul Greenwood, Gary Ham, Nathan Hamill, Jay222, Walter "Chauskoskis" Jacott, Jryu, Jeremiah Ketner, Paul Kaiju, Aya Kakeda, Frank Kozik, Josh Herbolsheimer, Travis Lampe, Matthew Langille, Josh Mayhem, Sarah "Lunabee" Miskelly, Frank Mysterio, Motorbot, Ritzy Periwinkle, Plaseebo, Patricio Oliver, Task One, Dave Pressler, Reactor 88, Jason "Aka Big Money" Rodan, Jermaine Rogers, Cris Rose, Scribe, Rsin Art, Ardabus Rubber, Skinner, Bwana Spoons, John "Spanky" Stokes, Steve Talkowski, Cameron Tiede, Scott Tolleson, Vise One, Angie Vtec, Ben Walker, Adam Washburn, The Air Rat, Julie West, Kevin Winnik, Nicholas Woodworth

Playsam 500 Custom Toy Show Saturday, April 28th @ 7PM Pacific Super7 Store 1427 Haight Street San Francisco, CA 94117 415-553-6155 www.super7store.com

 

Group Show in Singapore

Me and many of my friends are in this group show which takes place in Singapore next week! So far away but I will close my eyes and pretend that I'm at the opening. Maybe I can find a girl in Singapore to pose as me! hehe

MICA lecture and Toy making blog

Hello.I'm going to MICA ( Maryland Institute College of Art) next week to have a lecture and a week long Toy design workshop. Here are the link to the blog I've been making for the class.  I thought maybe some other toymaker will be interested! I will keep updating this blog with students work and interview with other toy makers so stay tuned. http://micamfaillustrationaya.wordpress.com/

Info about the workshop: http://fyi.mica.edu/event/aya_kakeda_lecture

One Year After

Today was such a beautiful warm day in New York!"Tsuru Project" an artists group which formed soon after the earthquake in Japan last March 11th, gathered in a park in Brooklyn to have a memorial event today. We hanged the Origami Cranes and paper ornaments from trees. These Cranes were made by children, friends, and artists who came to our origami workshops through out the whole year since last March. It was so beautiful with the winds blowing~These are the photos from when we were setting up so I don't have any people in. But so many people came by and made origami with us through out the day. I will put some more photos when I get them!  Thank you so much for coming.  I was very happy and touched to have this special memorial day with warm friends and strangers folding origami and thinking about Japan together. Thank you!!! This is Yuri making a beautiful one year memorial sign for our installation.

One Year After 3.11 Tsuru Project Event

One Year After 3.11 Tsuru Project EventSunday March 11, 2012 from 1 pm to 4 pm McCarren Park, Brooklyn on Bedford Avenue side, between North12th St. and Lorimer St. ::: map

In case of rain: we'll gather at  232 Bedford Ave. Brooklyn (bet.N.5th and N.4th St)

Hello everyone! Next Sunday the March 11th is the one year memorial of the Earthquake and Tsunami which hit Northern Japan last year. Tsuru Project (A group formed after the earthquake last year that  I'm part of) will gather at McCarren park on this March 11. We will make origami crane and have a origami workshop to send our prayers to the lost souls and the people who were affected by this tragedy. Please come and join us to make tsuru for the first memorial for Japan. Also we would like to send our gratitude to everyone who has supported Japan from New York and all over the world.  Thank you!!!

(Photo:On March 20, 2011, we gathered at McCarren Park,and made origami cranes for the first time for Japan, sending our love and hopes to our home country.)

"We are one" benefit exhibition tonight at Camel art space!

http://camelartspace.com/121711-%E2%80%A2-we-are-one-japan-benefit-camel-art-space/Hello! Come to the Benefit exhibition tonight at the Camel Art space in Brooklyn. I was there yesterday and saw all the art works and they are really incredible! It's for a benefit for Japan and all the artists are donating and selling their work under $200. It's a great opportunity to collect famous artists' work in low costs, also a great for Holiday gift all for the good cause! I have one piece hanging, I attache the image below.  Maybe good for your kid's room?! Chocolate land :-)

See you there~

WE ARE ONE – JAPAN BENEFIT @ Camel Art Space

EXHIBITION: December 17th, 10:00am-6:00pm

ART WORKS SALE / RECEPTION: December 17th, 6:00-9:00pm

Location: Camel Art Space 722 Metropolitan Ave., 2nd Floor Brooklyn, NY 11211

In cooperation with: • Japan Earthquake Relief Fund at Japan Society

Manchester School of Art Embroidery

Manchester School of Art is the only school which holds Embroidery Major that I know of.  The Students of the Embroidery Major is having a benefit Auction next week to raise money for their graduation exhibition. I remember that it happened in some NY art school few years ago, too that since the bad economy (?!) school canceled the graduation shows so the students had to come up with money for the event.  I feel like if you pay that much tuition for 4 years to school you should automatically get the final show... but I guess sometimes it doesn't work that way.If you are in England and close to this area, please stop by and support the students!  All the art work starts from £10.  I have one embroidery work also. If you don't live in England you can also bit online! www.fivepointeightbyfourpointone.wordpress.com

Can you guess which one is mine???

Hi!I'm part of this Kamen-rider exhibition going on now in L.A. Come by if you are around!

>>>Over 120 local and international artists will pay visual tribute to some of the most famous pop culture icons in Japanese history and their creator, manga god Ishimori Shotaro.

Opening Reception: Nov. 5, 2011 7PM-10PM

Where:

Q POP 128 Astronaut E S Onizuka St Los Angeles, CA 90012 Phone: (213) 687-7767 www.qpopshop.com

Japanese American Cultural and Community Center 244 S. San Pedro Street, Suite 505 Los Angeles, CA 90012 Phone: (213) 628-2725

Participating artists:

Adolie Day / Amanda Visell / Amelie Flechais Andy Gonsalves / Angello Garcia Bassi (Cubotoy) Anna Chambers / Antonio Cannobio / August Hall Aya Kakeda / Becky Dreistadt / Ben Newman Brian Kesinger / Brittney Lee / Bwana Spoons Casey Alexander / Cecilia Meade / Chikuwaemil Chogrin Munoz / Chris Sasaki / Ciro Nieli Clio Chiang / Corey Lewis / Crowded Teeth Denny Khurniawan / DevilRobots / Don Hall Elizabeth Ito / Emmanuelle Pioli / Graham Annable Heidi Younger / Hellen Jo / Hideyuki Tanaka Higinia Garay / Hine Mizushima / Imaitoonz Itokin Park / Jeff Ranjo / Jeff Turley Jeni Yang / Jim Mahfood / Joe Matteo Joey Chou / JooHee Yoon / Jorsh Pena Josh Parpan / Junko Mizuno / Justin Parpan Justin Thompson / Kazu Kibuishi / Kevin Dart Leanna Rudish / Leo Espinosa / Leo Matsuda Lilidoll / Lincoln Kamm / Lissa Treiman Lorelay Bove / Lorena Alvarez Gomez / Luca Tieri Luke Chueh / Mad Barbarians / Mari Inukai Marlo Meekins / Martin Hsu / Marty M Ito Mayumi Tanaka / Michael Fleming / Michael Yamada Minifanfan / Misha / Nagi Koyama Naoshi / Patricio Oliver / Patrick Awa Paul Felix / Paul Rudish / Paul Shih Pete Oswald / Picopico / Ping Zhu Rich Pellegrino / Riki Takaoka / Robert Ryan Cory Romain Mennetrier / Roque Ballesteros / Rozenn Bothuon Santino Lascano / Scott Morse / Scott Watanabe Sean Chao / Sean Danconia / Seo Kim Shiyoon Kim / Shojonotomo / Sid Jung Steve Lambe / Sunguts / Touma Valerie Nunez / Victoria Ying / Vincent Mathy Warren Leonhardt / Yoko Furusho / Yoko Nomura Yucachin' / Yumiko Kayukawa / Yukinao Takashima

 

 

Book Reading at Park Slope Brooklyn

2 Thursday ago Sara, Nora and I had a little book reading at Community Book Store in Brooklyn.  It's a very cozy and friendly book store where they always have some nice book evens. And their selection of children books and other art books are fantastic. (here is their link --->http://www.cbjupiterbooks.com/)Nora was presenting her new book "My Cold Went On Vacation" And Sara was presenting her new book "Bake Sale" They are both fantastic books you should check them out! And I was reading my first children book which I illustrated " The Hole in the Middle" Here are some photos from the event! By the way I'm wearing a T-shirt and an overall pants which I use to wear in high school. Kind of made me calm like a lucky charm.  It use to make people think I look like Chucky from Child's Play. hahaha now I guess I look adult enough that nobody think so... I hope...

Tanabata Festival this Saturday!

Please Join us for this one day benefit event for Fukushima Children!Me and my friends Tsuru Project has been working for this event for quite some time, it will be really nice to see you there. WISH COME TSURU Tanabata Festival in New York

The TSURU Project brings a Japanese star festival to New York City to send wishes to people in Japan

August 6th, Saturday 3 pm - 7 pm at Tenri Cultural Institute, 43A West 13th Street, New York, NY 10011

A very special one day event showcasing more than 3,000 colorful origami cranes in large ornaments, participatory workshops for origami cranes and tanzaku, thin paper strips for writing wishes to decorate bamboo branches, and live music performances by Japanese musicians.

The large ornaments will be on view and each string will be sold at suggested donation from $20 during a festival. Donation box will also be available. All the proceeds will go to Ashinaga’s “Rainbow House Fund,” Mazenda Fukushima Children’s Fund, and Tenri Cultural Institute’s “Japan Earthquake Relief Fund.” Only cash can be accepted.

**This is a free event and open to public.

I am 8-bit event!

hello.I'm part of this show next week, if you are in LA area, come on by~ Suppose to be really cool and fun event. I have an embroidery there, I will upload the photo soon.

SUPER iam8bit Opening Night Extravaganza August 11, 2011 7pm to 11pm

All-night ambiance by DJ R-Rated With special performances by Leeni and A_Rival

We'll be hosting the event at the recently renovated iam8bit headquarters in glorious Echo Park:- 2147 W. Sunset Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90026 -

It's going to be bigger and bolder than ever before, as we have over 4,500 sq. ft. of event space (that's nearly 5 times the size of the original show in 2005)!

Over 100 artists will reimagine their 80's gaming fantasies, delusions and secret desires via all sorts of media - painting, sculpture, plush, and even some more interactive experimentation. Highlights include:

*A special tribute to Galaga's 30th anniversary featuring the world's largest "arcade cabinet" * The transformation of the entire gallery into an 80's gaming wonderland by designer decal collective BLIK *An interactive, "retro-fied" Kinect hack from Double Fine super-artist Drew Skillman *And much, much more! http://iam8bit.com/the-art-show/

Lady Comix Art Exhibition at Webb Gallery

This comic show that I'm part of opens in July 30th @ Webb Gallery (Waxahachie, TX) If you are in the area come on by~, there are amazing line up of female comic artists!

This is a painting I did it's the cover of my comic that I created just for this show. Also there will be 5 paintings which related to this comic story will be exhibit at the gallery.

Oompa Loompa doompadee doo~

Oompa Loompa, do-ba-dee-doo,I’ve got a perfect puzzle for you. Oompa Loompa, do-ba-dee-dee, If you are wise you’ll listen to me. What do you get when you guzzle down sweets? Eating as much as an elephant eats. What are you at getting terribly fat? What do you think will come of that? I don't like the look of it Oompa Loompa do-ba-dee-da, Given good manners you will go far. You will live in happiness too, Like the oompa loompa do-ba-dee-doo. Do-ba-dee-doo

This is my world mixed with Willy Wonka's I did this painting for Gallery 1988 for their Crazy 4 Cult show opening tomorrow! I haven't used a wood panel for a long time, and now just started again to paint on wood. and bright colors!

Info: "Crazy 4 Cult" Gallery 1988 ( 7020 Melrose Ave. LA, CA) Opening July 8th, 2011

"the Hole in the Middle" Book + Toy release party x Dunny Series 2011 Release Party

Hello Hello!I'm putting up some photos of the night when we had our book "The Hole in The Middle" and it's main character Morgan's limited Toy release party.

For 2 hours Paul and I signed all 200 of the limited Book x Toy figures :-) This is Abby Ranger form Disney Hyperion Book, she is the Editor of this book!!! She is fantastic! And Dunny Series 2011 release party was happening at this SOHO Kidrobot shop in same night! Here is my Laika Dunny. hehe so small in this photo. It was my first time actually meeting my Laika this night! I was super excited. I love the transparent helmet. They did such a great job making this! thank you! My dear dear Friends were there to support! thank you guys for coming. Thank you Paul, Thank you Abby, Thank you KRNY stuff, and thank you everybody for coming to celebrate this book, this means a lot to me!

You can see more photo at http://kronikle.kidrobot.com/wrap-up-ds2011-trading-parties/