I'm still recovering from the weekend adventure that was sf zine fest. When I first found out that I was going back to the bay to show my work, I was filled with excitement and joy, knowing that I'd be back in this place that I spent four years in, learning, growing, loving.
My really good friend Elise (that also got a table) asked me what my travel plans were for the fest and after talking to two of my friends, Randy & Trent and setting that up, we all decided to carpool up together and Randy & Trent would show their work on my half table! It worked out perfectly. Elise's friend Emily hooked us up with a place to stay through one of her friends, THANK YOU TOMMASO for letting us stay in your humble abode! We all had such great sleep that night!
So the morning of SF zine fest comes, we go pick up snacks in preparation for a long day, and we get there at the perfect time. I was inspired waiting in the line with all those people because I saw all the contraptions people had to help them carry all their stuff! Lots of DIY dollies. And the work, there was so much good work!!! We all had the chance to set up early, I feel so happy with how we all figured out that little 3 foot space.
This is Trent & Randy getting ready right before the event started!
Seeing familiar faces, friends, and meeting complete strangers but connecting through art-making was so special to me. The bay is where my art-making/understanding was nurtured and developed so to be back in this setting was too cool. I saw a friend that I went to school with that I haven't seen since I left the bay, Ray, he just came up to the side of me and said, "tony". We reminisced about school and he had so many nice things to say about my current work and work back then, him and all the people that were in the same program as me were all inspiring and motivating people. If it weren't for that group and our advisors/teachers, I wouldn't be where I am with my work today.
Some of my handmade wooden brooches. I made quite a few for my friends that I knew I might see that day. It was a joy surprising J & ken with a few pins, one that said "lenore" & another that said "luna" and another that said "the pups" those are their dogs names.
The stickers were a hit :) I used a green tea pocky box to hold em'
I'm in awe that so many people stopped by my table and were interested in my work. I worked really hard on everything, especially my books, I made so many and to have so many people compliment my work and craftsmanship was affirming for me. I think sometimes people might not realize how powerful their words can be in these types of situations. As a vendor, you are pretty vulnerable, and I think most people are considerate of that. I have lots of respect and admiration for all the vendors there, and I feel lucky that I had the chance to sneak away from my table to get some work from other artist!!
This is Jamie with Andy Goldsworthys piece in the Persidio, called "Spire". Elise told us all about some Andy Goldsworthy pieces that were scattered around the persidio way before we even arrived in the bay so that was something we definitely wanted to check out after the fest ended. We met up with my good friend Jamie and we all explored together admiring and experiencing these wonderful pieces.
Here is Elise and Randy walking on another of his pieces called "wood line". It was such a beautiful experience being in between these great big trees, balancing on these logs that went up and up and up for a while. His work has these meditative elements to it, I felt so calm, relaxed and happy being in these spaces and interacting with these works. I feel lucky to have this experience for my first time at sf zine fest and to do it with this magical group of humyns. They all let me take them to my favorite burrito joint in the mission district of sf and I think it was a hit overall :)
Heres to friendship, art-making, community, slowing down, speeding up, and enjoying this beautiful experience that we call life together. Thank you to everyone that made this weekend so special.