From The Museum In Japan To The U.S. Embassy Tokyo
With Sensoji Memoirs Abridged, Sensoji Memoirs Unspoken & Sensoji Memoirs in Blue, 37″ x 28″ ea.
ink & acrylic on canvas
3 Paintings at The National Art Center Tokyo, Japan
Above and below are images of my paintings that exhibited in 2019 at the The National Art Center, Tokyo, in The 19th Japan International ART Exchange Exhibition curated by Katsu Shimmin with U.S. curator Julienne Johnson.
Sensoji Memoirs Abridged, Sensoji Memoirs Unspoken & Sensoji Memoirs in Blue, on exhibit in Japan at
The National Art Center, Tokyo. Photo credit: Tammy Tappan
From the museum to the U.S. Embassy Tokyo
After their debut at the museum, the paintings got accepted into the cultural heritage collection of the U.S. Embassy Tokyo, Japan, in collaboration with the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Art in Embassies.
Sensoji Memoirs Collection by Brooke Harker in The U.S. Embassy Tokyo, Japan. Photo courtesy of The Embassy.
The creation of these artworks came from a desire to honor the memory of my roommate and friend, Katie, who passed away in 2017. They were inspired by our adventures in Japan in 1999, when we worked together at the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo. She was with me when I sketched the Sensoji Temple in person. This temple has appeared in my work several times since then, and continues to be symbolic in my career. I didn’t know then, when I dipped my paintbrush in a puddle, that years later I would become a professional artist. In 2014, Katie commissioned me to make a version of this image for her that I used to reference these three.
Tokyo Temple for Katie, 12″ x 9″ ink & watercolor on paper, 2014.
In 2019, I knew that if my work got accepted into the museum exhibit, there would be no soul on the planet who would’ve been as excited for me as her. I really wished I could call to tell her. However, I decided to believe that maybe somewhere she already knew, and might have even helped from above. The National Art Center happened to be in the same neighborhood we walked through daily to and from work. The opportunity felt like complete synchronicity.
When the paintings got accepted into the museum exhibit, it then became my dream to get them into the U.S. Embassy. After months of work and correspondence and the kindness of friends of friends and strangers…that dream came true.
Sensoji Memoirs Unspoken by Brooke Harker, -37″ x 28″ ink & acrylic on canvas
The middle painting in red, Sensoji Memoirs Unspoken, received a Award of Excellence at the museum. Of the three paintings, it was the one that was most about my friend. It contains energy, thoughts and memories that I haven’t been able to put into words. My guess is that any combination of words just isn’t big enough to express those experiences, both in joy and loss. Nor can my paintings capture the magnitude of who she was in the lives of others. I suppose life is that way…we are meant to live vibrantly with the people who come into our lives and when they go, there is nothing that can or will take the places they held. There is no going backwards to relive what is gone and yet those past experiences can’t be taken away either…because they live in the fibers of who we’ve become.
I’m deeply grateful to the staff in the U.S. Department of State’s Office of Art in Embassies for helping this dream come true and to the U.S. Embassy in Tokyo for adopting these paintings and bringing me together with my friend so many years ago. I’m also thankful to Camp Adventure Youth Services who placed us in Tokyo in 1999. To anyone who reads this who knew my friend or who has had such a spirit in your life…my heart is with you.
To keep the paintings together in coming years, they will be known at the Embassy as Sensoji Memoirs Collection.
Paintings Celebrate in Homes Over the Holidays
Beyond paintings finding a new homes in Tokyo this past December, a few other paintings celebrated the season with new families. I continue to be a bit of a proud parent as I see the lives of paintings after they’ve left the nest. It brings me so much joy to know they get to party with somebody and be part of memories.
The home of Nautical Hearts by Brooke Harker, 34″ x 60″ ink, oil & acrylic on canvas
The home of Arcobaleno Nights by Brooke Harker 38″ x 74″ ink, oil & acrylic on canvas
a surprise install of Le Moment de Jouer by Brooke Harker, 36″ x 54″ ink & acrylic on canvas
I matched the lady in the painting with my jacket and accessories:)
__________________________________________________
Happy Holidays 2019 & 2020 Wishes!
I hope everyone is having great a holiday season and finding beauty in anything that might look like a mess!
This is a time of year when there is likely more dishes in the kitchen from guests and baking/cooking endeavors. There may be extra reflection on how various personalities converge at holiday gatherings.
There is beauty to be found in these scenarios. When there is an intention to see beauty, beauty will be found.
This is the mindset with which I approach making original holiday cards for collectors from left over paint smears.
remnants of oil paint from 2019 paintings in process for original cards
Above are snapshots of the foundations for the next batch of original holiday cards for collectors which is still in process likely until late 2020. So if you are a collector who is used to getting my cards, I haven’t forgotten you :)! This project continues to be on the biennial.
For those of you who aren’t familiar with my tradition, I save bits of left over paint for year or two on scraps of canvas and turn them into mini abstracts. Other times there is a story told through paint that gets cut up into cards. Whether a simple wash or a more elaborate process, each card is one-of-a-kind.
The compositions are found after the paint has been put down verses planned before, hence the process of looking for beauty in a mess.
some of the 2017/2018 batch of original cards
If you have one of my originals and haven’t received a card, I may not have your address so feel free to message me with a photo of your painting and your address if you want to be on the list.
The cards I make are my way of saying to those who have supported me that I am thinking of you all throughout the year. Many people have helped make possible what I get to do, and I am so grateful.
I call the beginning of the new batch “Without a Net” because there is no ink remnants in this version. Past holiday cards have often had an ink phase that mirrors the original paintings I make on canvas. The ink strokes make a structure for the paint to land within. In 2019, I left the ink net out of the process.
There is that phrase, “Leap and the net will appear.”
If you see yourself leaping in whatever way you choose in 2020…may your net appear in ways better than you could have imagined.
Many wishes for your highest good as we go into the new year.
Italy In The Studio…Tokyo Exhibit On The Horizon
|
Italy in the Studio: If you follow my social media you may have seen photos last month from a recent adventure to Italy including locations such as: Rome, Paliano, Olevano, Piglio, Morolo, Naples, Florence, Venice, Burano, and Isola del Liri. Although it may look like I’m promptly painting images from this last trip, the references for the below paintings are from photos I took several years ago. I often let the idea of paintings sit with me for awhile before painting them. The age of the buildings in Italy is something that has taken me awhile to comprehend. Title ideas welcome for the below paintings in process:
|
|
The National Art Center- Tokyo, Japan: Super excited to be part of this museum exhibit:)!!! The 19th International ART Exchange Exhibition curated by Katsu Shimmin with US Curator Julienne Johnson will include 380 artworks from 25 countries.
Participating countries include: China | USA | Sweden | England | Mexico | Malaysia | Poland | South Korea | Greece | India | Indonesia | Australia | Japan | Lebanon | Egypt | Italy | Canada | Myanmar | Luxembourg | Vietnam | Brazil | Thailand | Bangladesh | Germany | Russia
|
In the Chase Center Art Collection!
Beyond honored to be one of the 33 artists selected to be in The Chase Center Art Collection in San Francisco, new home to the Golden State Warriors! I got to attend the art unveiling/artist reception & VIP Open House in San Francisco on August 28th! The venue includes 87 original pieces of art, 250 pieces of photography & 9 graphics.
See the facility & my painting “Where Hearts Reside” in my photo essay below. The Chase Center officially opens September 6th!
Gratitude to Sports and the Arts,The Chase Center & Adobe for including me!
with my painting, “Where Hearts Reside” 56″ x 56″ ink, oil and acrylic on canvas
To find the painting first you have to go up these stairs…. then go up an escalator to the Oracle Suites on the 4th floor… I think you might have to have tickets..
My painting is by Suite 19.
This is an example of an Oracle Suite!
Looking out at the Arena with my mom from the Oracle Suites. She went on the road trip with me!
The seating right beneath the Oracle Suites…possibly for the Oracle Suites.
I went to look at more art and got lost…however found this view:)
President of the Golden State Warriors, Rick Welts, recognizing Tracie Speca-Ventura of Sports and the Arts who commissioned my painting:) I will be sharing the work of some of the other artists on social media:)
Next to a mobile by the famous Alexander Calder who passed away in 1976, which hangs in the lobby of The Chase Center, on loan from SFMOMA.
I got interviewed by the Chase Center & Adobe. The video of that will be coming out on the Chase Center website later:) This is a screenshot from Adobe’s story that day…
Thankful for so many people who made this happen and all those who have supported me a long the way. I am blessed to be surrounded by colorful souls who are as vibrant as the houses in the painting.
6 New Paintings & Where To Find Them…
Look below to see 6 new paintings available at 3 California locations.
Available at Lu Martin Galleries:
A Havana Story 66″ x 44″ ink, oil & acrylic on canvas by Brooke Harker
Nautical Hearts 34″ x 60″ ink, oil & acrylic on canvas by Brooke Harker
Laguna Days 20” x 64″ ink, oil & acrylic on canvas by Brooke Harker
Lu Martin Galleries
372 N Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949-494-8074
Open daily.
Mon-Fri: 11am to 5pm
Sat-Sun: 10am to 6pm
Greg Martin: artistgregmartin@gmail.com
Lu Martin: lumartin41@gmail.com
______________________________________________
Now available at Gabba Gallery:
Anyway 42” x 30″ ink, oil & acrylic on canvas by Brooke Harker
The title, “Anyway” refers to what we do as artists, musicians, writers, singers, dancers, actors, composers, filmmakers & poets…We make art anyway…we paint whether people look at what we make, we sing whether there is a crowd…Beyond being captivated by this Roman singer’s rendition of the popular Antonello Venditti song “Notte prima degli esami”—This painting is my salute to all who create regardless of a crowd..
Se l’amore è amore 20″ x 20″ ink & acrylic on canvas by Brooke Harker
The title translates to “if love is love” and refers to lyrics of the famous song, “Notte prima degli esami” by Antonello Venditti. You can find a video of this street singer in Rome singing this song if you scroll back in my Instagram feed to January 2017. He also appeared in the above painting, “Anyway.”
Gabba Gallery
3126 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90057
(323) 604-4186
Gallery Hours noon-3 or by appointment.
______________________________________________
Online with Castelli Art Space on Artsy
Days Gone By 45″ x 80″ ink & acrylic on canvas by Brooke Harker
Many more paintings in the works, too!
at Gabba Gallery until Saturday August 24, 2019
“Remix: The Art of Music 2”
Gallery Hours: Wednesday-Saturday noon-3pm & by appointment
“Remix: The Art of Music 2” curated by Jason Ostro & Elena Jacobson
The exhibit features the art of 60 local and international artists who created artworks inspired by music.
Gabba Gallery
3126 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90057
(323) 604-4186
_____________________
Tonight! Join us at Castelli Artspace 6-9pm
Saturday August 17, 2019 6-9pm
Closing Reception of “Surf & Turf”
at Castelli Artspace in Los Angeles
If you hadn’t had a chance to make it out to this exhibit, there is still time and we would love to see you there!
Castelli Art Space
5428 West Washington Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90016
curated by Dale Youngman with Gay Summer Rick, Gregg Chadwick,Teale Hatheway, Alex Schaefer and John Kilduff
2 Exhibits In 1 Day In LA!
Meet the artists of “Surf & Turf”!
Saturday August 10th!
3-6pm
Castelli Artspace near Culver City
Artist talk from 3:30-4:30pm
above with Days Gone By at the opening of “Surf and Turf”
Curated by Dale Youngman and also featuring: Gay Summer Rick, Gregg Chadwick, Teale Hatheway, Alex Schaefer and John Kilduff.
Castelli Art Space
5428 West Washington Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90016
The gallery is open Tuesdays-Fridays from 10-5 and by appointment. There will also be a closing reception on Saturday August 17th from 6-9pm.
________________________
then… cruise over to Gabba Gallery for the Opening of:
“Remix: The Art of Music 2”
Saturday August 10th!
7-11pm
(If you plan to attend early, I may or may not get there on time with the traffic between exhibits:)
curated by Jason Ostro & Elena Jacobson
The exhibit features the art of 60 local and international artists who created artworks inspired by music.
Gabba Gallery
3126 Beverly Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90057
(323) 604-4186
A portion of every sale will be donated to Adopt the Arts, a non-profit that helps fund arts programs in public elementary schools. Click here to read more about the exhibit & Adopt the Arts.
Opening Reception at Castelli Artspace in Los Angeles!
Join us at “Surf & Turf”
Saturday July 27th! 6-9pm
Be among the first to see the finished version of this new above painting “Days Gone By” live! 45″ x 80″
at Castelli Art Space near Culver City
Castelli Art Space
5428 West Washington Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90016
I’m excited to exhibit alongside great LA artists including: Gay Summer Rick, Gregg Chadwick, Teale Hatheway, Alex Schaefer and John Kilduff. Curated by Dale Youngman
Check out the in Splash Magazine and on LA Art Party to learn more about the exhibit!
Hope to see you there!
June In Bloom…
Is your June in bloom?
My studio is beginning to blossom with paintings of Cuba, Hawaii, Italy, & California (not all pictured yet!) See below for information on an exhibit in North Carolina, Laguna Artwalk and a peak into a couple collector’s homes.
Cuba paintings have begun!
I am in love with this car color!
above photos by my neighbor and photographer Kimberlee Peterson.
Now exhibiting in North Carolina:
“Et c’est parti” 60″ x 57″ ink & acrylic on canvas opened at Grand Opening of Equestrian Artists of Tyron at the Tyron International Equestrian Center in May 2019.
Equestrian Artists of Tyron
25 International Blvd
Mill Springs NC 28756
850-687-4052
Join us!
Thursday June 6, 2019
Laguna Beach Artwalk 6-9pm
Lu Martin Galleries
372 N Coast Hwy
Laguna Beach, CA 92651
949-494-8074
above with fellow artists Dasha Guilliam, Irina Negluescu and Nichole McDaniel
Art in Homes:
Lagunatics Lounge (over the couch) 54″ x 54″ ink, oil & acrylic on canvas, found a home in the same room with a painting by Irina Negulescu!
Walking Rome in it’s home. 26″ x 40″ ink, oil & acrylic on canvas
Click here to see more current paintings available for your home.
May you enjoy the blooms of June!
