Ushering in the New Year

MICA (left) - "Still-life with Gouache" by Adriana, 5th Gr.(center) - "Self-Portrait" by Datwuan, 7th Gr.(right)

As I look back and review this past year, 2009 was a time of change. In the summer, I left New York - the only place I've ever lived in - and moved to Baltimore with my wife Jen. Left behind was my Queens apartment, subway commuting, and the music and art school I taught at for 3 years.

What lay ahead was wide open opportunity, a small quirky city to explore, and a handful of "Hons" thrown my way. I was given the opportunity to be a Teaching Artist with Creative Alliance and Young Audiences, where I taught 5th-7th graders for a semester, and really enjoyed my time and experience in the classroom. However, with some nudging support from Jen, I decided to follow my dreams and finally head back to art school after an 11 year hiatus.

In January, I'll begin a Post-Bac Program at Maryland Institute College of Art... a first step towards getting to where I want to be. So as 2009 comes to an end, I say a fond farewell to New York and to teaching in the classroom (For now), and I welcome with open arms, 2010 - A Year of ART, Debt, and unlimited possibilities.

Happy New Year!

Season for Wishful Thinking and Giving Thanks

In this holiday season, I am making wishes and giving thanks...

As I - not so patiently - wait for notification to see if I get accepted into MICA's (Maryland Institute College of Art) graduate program, I am combining all my wishes for one positive acceptance letter.

On the other less-selfish end, I am very THANKFUL for quite a few artists, who have inspired me on many different levels. In no particular order, I am giving thanks and showing appreciation to the following artists and their work:

Jean-Michel Basquiat, Cy Twombly, Joan Mitchell, Mark Rothko, Robert Rauschenberg, Franz Kline, Willem de Kooning, Grace Hartigan, Francesco Clemente, Christopher Yee, Mark Bradford, David Kramer, Jessica Kreutter, Marcel Dzama, and countless others.

Inaugural Painting Exhibition at The Evergreen; NOV 7 - DEC 5, 2009

The Evergreen
501 Cold Spring Ln, Baltimore
Kenneth Yee
"Help is on the way"
November 7 - December 5, 2009

“In Washington, the first thing people tell you is what their job is. In Los Angeles you learn their star sign. In Houston you’re told how rich they are. And in New York they tell you what their rent is.” (Simon Hoggart)

As an artist who is new to Baltimore, Kenneth Yee is unsure what the city’s natives tell people. A transplant from Queens, New York, the painter/teaching artist is proud to display his inaugural exhibition of paintings in Baltimore at The Evergreen Café.

Yee presents, "Help is on the way", a new collection of paintings on view from November 7 through December 5, 2009. Loose lines and brush strokes are a result of his time spent teaching toddler-age art classes, while newer images of random objects and modes of transportation are inspired by the artist’s new surroundings. Use of words and partial phrases make their way into paintings influenced from the artist’s days in advertising and graphic design.

A graduate of the Fashion Institute of Technology in 1998, Yee has held various solo exhibitions around New York and has been included in shows at the Open Culture Gallery in Chelsea and participated in the Tribeca Open Artist Studio Tour. A number of paintings can be found in a variety of private collections in cities such as Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New Jersey, Baltimore and Berlin. Kenneth was interviewed on NBC's The Today Show for volunteer work as a Teaching Artist with Art for Progress and has participated in the Artists Talk series at the Asian American Art Centre in New York City.

Car problems lead to inspiration

While I have no right to complain about a car that was handed over to my wife and I, a classic '96 Skylark, to say we've experienced a few breakdowns would be a slight under-statement. With the continued support of our Uncle Lenny, and the bailout-pick-ups by Jen's parents, we've managed to keep the Skylark in the family and running - at least for the moment and not so quietly either.

Through these hardships came inspiration. With time to think while stranded and waiting to be picked up, whether it's on the New Jersey Turnpike or in Patterson Park, Baltimore, I've decided to incorporate our beloved Skylark in my newest painting titled, "Help is on the way".

Sometimes you need to look a little harder

Goya Contemporary, Hampden (left) - C. Grimaldis Gallery, Mt. Vernon (right)

FOR YEARS I'D FREQUENT the galleries in New York, and I've always had my favorite spaces which exhibited with certain sensibilities and sustained a visionary direction that connected with me. These galleries were often clustered within the same neighborhood, and sometimes on the same block. It would not be difficult for someone to come across these venues, as many of these spaces were store-front galleries with huge windows and glass doors offering views from the sidewalk. When they were housed within a larger building, it would be common to find many galleries nestled inside with plenty of posters and postcards planted outside letting art-walkers know exactly what's being exhibited inside.

As I familiarize myself with this new Baltimore art scene and its galleries, I continue to find differences - not necessarily bad - that I need to adjust to. Most noticeably is the proximity of quality art galleries from one to the other. No longer can I leisurely stroll around in one neighborhood for an afternoon, but here in Baltimore, they are scattered in various neighborhoods which I need to hop into my car and drive to. But once you get there, it's worth the trip... you just better look hard are you may pass it!

Three galleries that have really impressed me are Goya Contemporary located in the Hampden area, C. Grimaldis in Mount Vernon, and Gallery Imperato down in Federal Hill. They all showcase innovative and talented artists, while their curatorial sensibilities were equally impressive (I particularly enjoyed the current showing of South African-born/Baltimore-local artist, Jo Smail with her vibrantly colored and textured paintings at Goya). Each of these three spaces can easily be missed if you are not focused on looking out for it. With Goya and Imperato, both spaces are suites within larger establishments, and if I hadn't looked up its location and directions with plans to drive there, it would have been a while before I stumbled upon them accidentally. And finally, C. Grimaldis Gallery is not too far from where I live. But sandwiched between a cafe, a clothing boutique and eyeglass store, one could easily walk by the front steps you need to ascend to enter the space. But if you ever find yourself wandering around the Washington Monument and tired from walking up and down its hilly terrain, pop in for some fine contemporary art!

I'm still learning this new art scene and am continually finding some nice surprises. Coming this November, I will be showcasing some new paintings at Evergreen Cafe, north of JHU on Cold Spring Lane. Stay tuned for more details as the exhibition gets closer...

Evergreen Cafe (left) - Paintings; "Miles" and "Turpentine" 2009

Art Loop vanishing in downtown Baltimore

When my wife and I visit other cities or towns, we often like to participate in their "Art Walks", which offers a great opportunity to view the local art scene while galleries, studios, coffee shops and cafes coordinate to open their doors to the public one evening a month (First or Last Fridays are common) creating an energy that's full of passion for art within the streets of a community. They are one of my favorite activities, and I will often try to schedule my trips around these dates.

"Art Walks" in my eyes are special, as they are not possible in every neighborhood and there are key elements needed for a successful one to take place. First and foremost, the neighborhood needs to be a community that showcases art. Not only should this location house many art galleries, artist studios, and other places of business that decorate their walls with locally produced art, but they should all be conveniently within walking distance from each other so the viewers can follow a map and conveniently hit all their destinations without straying away too far. The better ones have a strong art presence on just a couple of main blocks that you can wander into one right after the other (My favorite was a long block with many galleries in a northern section of Portland, Oregon). Another key ingredient is the art of course. Creative, thought provoking, and beautiful art will always bring the art lover around looking for a night of art, exercise, food, wine and some conversation. And one of the most crucial elements needed for this evening to take place is support. Support from the city or town, support from the community at large, and support from the venues and artists and dealers.

So when my wife Jen and I moved to Baltimore last month, we were extremely excited to learn that there was an art walk, or as they label it "Art Loop", located in Fells Point every first Friday of the month. I marked it on my calendar and made sure to leave those evening hours free from any obligation. So when this Friday, September 4th came around, the first "red flag" was the fact that I could not find a current Fells Point Art Loop map with the participating venues... That was odd I thought, so I printed an old one and made the necessary adjustments and updates with a pencil. We ventured out and decided to start at a gallery on Fleet Street where I had been in touch with the owner in hopes of showing in a future Art Loop. The door was locked, and after ringing the bell, was opened minutes later by the owner who was cooking and preparing for a dinner party later. A dinner party? Well the gallery owner, who was extremely nice and welcoming, told us that he'd decided to no longer participate in the Loop... starting that Friday. He's had his gallery on that street for the past 5 years, but has seen a steady decline in interest or revenue coming in. And on top of that, there was an enormous amount of frustration from the lack of support or organization involved with this neighborhood event. Well the gentleman still gave us a full tour, and we graciously thanked him and made our way out towards the next destination with much skepticism.

To our horror(That's a little strong), but not our surprise, all but 3 locations on the list that were supposed to be participating that evening were closed! Dark with locked doors and no explanation. Our failed excursion ended at the Art Gallery of Fells Point on Thames Street. There were a few people in there with wine, food, and a friendly artist who was showing his skillful landscape paintings along with the other stable artists involved with the gallery. No one in there had any clue that all the other venues on the Loop decided to spontaneously drop out without any word or warning. I thought that added to the sadness and the reality that maybe this "community" event wasn't so much a community, but more likely that each artist and gallery was an island left to fend for themselves.

And that brings me back to the need for support. There was none. There was no advertising for this neighborhood "collaborative"; there was no communication, organization or maybe even any desire to keep this art event running. It's unfortunate that we missed it, although I am curious how it was presented in better days. You can blame it on the recession, blame it on lack of city or community support, or just chalk it up to an unfortunate circumstance. I do hope the Art Loop returns one day in Fells Point, but for now I'll need to circulate around Mt. Vernon, Hampden, Federal Hill and Station North to get my art fix. It's just a much bigger loop... and instead of walking, maybe I'll have to drive.

New Studio & Sondheim Finalists

Having finally settled into my new apartment and joining the community arts organizations - Creative Alliance and Young Audiences - as a teaching artist, I was able to set up my painting studio. As I continue to research the Baltimore Art scene and prospective galleries, I made my way to BMA to see the Sondheim Finalist Exhibition before it closes. I was extremely impressed with the Baltimore Development Collective (Scott Berzofsky, Dane Nester, and Nicholas Wisniewski) and their interdisciplinary practice that uses the strategies of art, research, and activism to critically engage with urban spatial politics. The other standout was artist Ryan Hackett and his orchestration of natural and synthetic atmospheres, creating an intense and mesmerizing installation. I look forward to further exploring and making my way into the Baltimore Arts Community. Now with a space to work, it's time to start painting...

My Morning Chocolate

If there is one thing I enjoy as much as art, and maybe watching football on a sunday, it is food. It comes as no surprise, as I am almost always hungry and absolutely love to eat. Being in transition, having moved from New York to Baltimore, I have yet to properly set up my painting studio. During a brief hiatus from painting until I finish setting up my workspace, I welcomed the opportunity to offer my graphic design assistance to a food blog. Having spent 4 years of tuition money on a computer graphics degree at the Fashion Institute of Technology, I'm always excited to dust off my graphic design skills and put my college education to use.

Designing the blog banner for "My Morning Chocolate" - a site for writings on food experiences, with references to travel and books, and an offering of interesting cooking recipes - I was able to have some fun with Photoshop and Illustrator, and realized that old skills come back fast...

Now to finish up my studio so I can start painting again... maybe after a snack first as I feel myself getting hungry.

www.mymorningchocolate.com - "Writing, Experiments, and Adventures in Food"

Via Baltimore

"In Washington, the first thing people tell you is what their job is. In Los Angeles you learn their star sign. In Houston you're told how rich they are. And in New York they tell you what their rent is." (Simon Hoggart)

As an artist who just moved from New York to Baltimore with my wife, I'm unsure what the city's natives tell people. At this current moment, I have no job to speak of, do not possess any riches, and find my monthly rent nothing to brag about. However, I am eager to learn and familiarize myself with this Baltimore Art scene I'm now immersed in.

I look forward to continuing my growth as a painter here in Baltimore... unfortunately minus the subway system and a professional basketball team. But at least this city bred the curious mind of John Waters... maybe that will be the first thing I tell people.

"Someone like you" oil on canvas - first painting completed in Baltimore