Grace

Whenever I have a conversation with someone about where I went to school and lived for four years, they always ask me do I miss the bay area. Do I miss living up north. And I always say the same thing, I don't miss Hayward, I don't miss Oakland, and I don't miss San Francisco. I only miss all the wonderful people that I met and all the wonderful friends I made.

During my two person art exhibition in Alameda in 2010, I made a dedication to all of those people.

I dedicate this show to my family.

My family back in Southern California

and the family I’ve gained while living

here in the East Bay. These people are

the ketchup to my eggs. Yes, I eat ketchup

with my eggs. Without them this show

wouldn’t be possible, so thanks for being

ketchup.

Love,
Tony

So of course I'm so grateful to have these people in my life even though we are hundreds of miles apart and we don't get to see each other or speak to each other that often, it doesn't change the fact that I cherish them all and get so excited when we do get a chance to talk.

During my Junior year of college I was accepted into the Bachelors of Fine Arts program and that's when I became very close with a lot of my art professors which became so vital for me because not only were they my art professors but they were my friends. We didn't just interact in school but outside of school as well and I admire all of them and I consider them my mentors.

One of those mentors, Grace Munakata sent me some gifts in the mail the other day and even though she told me she was sending them I couldn't help but to feel so loved and excited to get her package. Knot Thread Stitch is actually a book by Lisa Solomon which is another art professor/mentor of mine and when I found out she came out with that book I was planning to buy it and Grace mentioned in an email if I knew about it. I told her yes, and that I was very excited to buy it but was waiting for the money and Grace replied "don't order it, I'm having it sent to you!"

To say the least I am so thankful to Grace.

Here's Toph deciding which book she wants to read first.

Lisa's book is utterly beautiful. This book is so wonderful, it gives you an introduction of embroidery and mixed media techniques and all the materials you would need to get started on a project. The book showcases tons of projects by different artists from felt finger puppets to monogram patches. And towards the end of the book, theres an inspiration section with artwork by even more wonderful artist and a stitch guide and templetes that can be used! I'm so excited to actually sit down with this book and pick a fun project to do.

A page from Lisas book. I'm so happy for her and it's such a surreal thing to hold something that she made, especially something so beautifully made. And if you're reading this Lisa, your dedication is so sweet. And for anyone that is interested in Lisas artwork, click here. And if you're interested in buying her book, you wont regret it.

The other book Grace sent me was "Drawn in" by Julia Rothman. It's a collection of very cool sketchbooks by some very cool artist. 

And of course skimming through these pages I feel inspired again and want to revisit some abandoned sketchbooks. This book reminds me of a book I bought for Lisa's class a long time ago called Art/Work by Heather Bhandari and Jonathan Melber which explores the world of art, and the.. "rules" of the art world. I love that book and this book "Draw in" is very similar because there are little questions on the side of the pages for the artist. Questions like, "How often do you work in your sketchbook?" or "What are the main functions of your sketchbook" and plenty of tailored questions for the specific themes and looks of a certain sketchbook.

Grace, this is my unofficial thank you. Thank you for the wonderful books and thank you for being such a great mentor through college and even now. You always remind me to keep going, to utilize what I've learned, to explore more, and to smile.

A lot has been happening in my life as of late, with this trash station fight, and friends being homeless, but some very dear people have reminded me that I have to make time to rest, I have to make time to breathe so I can let all the joy in because there is so much of it. My brother told me that I have to be mindful of how I feel when I'm doing a certain task and I have to make sure that it's coming from a place of love and not a place of anger and that's something I've noticed especially with the social activism that I'm so deeply a part of now. I have to remember why I'm doing this, why I'm fighting and it's for love, justice, and compassion, it should not come from a place of anger, frustration, and hate.

I'm so lucky to have these people in my life to remind me when I forget.

Love,
Tony