BurgerFest at Ypao Beach

[All Art by Jeff Ejan]

Guam continues to surprise me. Yesterday, my family and I went to the BurgerFest event at Ypao Beach Park. Burger booths were oozing with their own tasty versions of "the ultimate burger" while crowds enjoyed upcoming local bands, visual art displays and slam poetry. 

I was like a savage beast at the visual art display. This artist Jeff Ejan has some amazing talent and as far as Google goes, I can't seem to find anything else on this guy. 

He seems to use various mediums: charcoal, pen, pencil, watercolor paints (Jeff Ejan, if you are reading this, please correct me). Among the many beauties of his work, I'm very impressed with his details and choice of images. 

...And what would BurgerFest be without a nice juicy burger? Unfortunately, I didn't get one, but my brother devoured his in a few minutes. I, a non-Guamanian, opted for some Chamorro food...

If These Walls Could Talk

Last week was full of community Latin events! At the University of Hawaii, we had an art tour led by Laura Ruby, lectures and workshops in which students were enlightened by Barcelona muralist Dr. Josep Minguell and California spray can artist and activist Refa One. 

Dr. Josep Minguell was instantly inspired by Spanish graduate assistant Olulaniokamanu Bicoy and her graceful hula performance. After digesting the island's beaches, strong winds and friendly people, he brought Hawaii full circle with his Hawaiian inspirations by using Mediterranean pigments from a volcano, using elements such as his signature "eyes." 

Refa One enlightened students on how spray can art can be implemented into education systems and produce a positive income. Controversial issues on "grafitti" aside, Refa One explained that spray can art is his method of keeping kids off the street in his neighborhood. 

On Friday, professor Aranzazu "Arantxa" Ascunce closed the week with an unveiling of murals produced by both artists. Students were also entertained by latin DJ and bachata guru Alberto Papi (look for him on Facebook!) and had the opportunity to create a mural of their own. 

Here's LR with her pals hula musa Olu Bicoy & medium brown girl Jessica de la Paz, enjoying the night and celebrating another great week of Hispanic events at UH Manoa! 

SHOUTOUTS TO: Alberto Papi, Jessica from Latinflava and Ka Lamakua. Good networking with all of you. 

Masterpieces in progress...

If These Walls Could Talk

Here's a peek at what to look forward to next week: IF THESE WALLS COULD TALK. My professor, Aranzazu "Arantxa" Ascunce organized a weekful of art events: an art tour, lecture, bilingual dialogue, workshop and a mural unveiling event at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. Ascunce, along with the help of the UH Manoa Spanish Department and Spanish undergraduate students, worked hard to bring these artists to the islands and organize events for the entire UH and Honolulu community to not only enjoy but learn about how two different art styles can fuse into one. 

These events feature muralist Dr. Josep Minguell from Barcelona and urban graffiti artist Refa One from Oakland, California. These educational events will conclude with a mural in which both artists combine classical and revolutionary artistic styles.

If you haven't spotted it yet...(FLIER ART: LATINRAMEN.COM)...Ms. LATINRAMEN designed the flier so it's guaranteed to be LATIN and fun! I'll definitely be covering the events so lots of posts coming up!

For more information, contact Aranzazu "Arantxa" Ascunce at aranzazu@hawaii.edu.

Needing some INSPIRACIÓN

My apologies for a mini-hiatus. My academic life has taken a hold of me and turned me into a zombie student without a head. I always wait until the last minute to start my final projects and for the past two weeks, I've been trying to figure out what I need to accomplish in order to earn A's in my grad classes.

As a result, I've succumbed to my usual art book sessions at bookstores. This time, I went to Barnes and Nobles and snatched up Lürzer's Archive 200 Best Illustrators Worldwide 09/10. This last illustration is by Eszter Kiskovacs.


Unfortunately, these didn't give me any relevant ideas for my papers (which are are about Spanish poetry and Latin American novels), but they did give me a bit of inspiration about what I'd like to do once grad school is done. I'm thinking studying art in Barcelona for a while and looking for a travel writing job. Who knows. This local girl can't live without family, tinian pepper and shoyu. Ship cases of my pepper and shoyu to Barcelona and I'll be a happy camper. :)

Back to my papers...

I <3 Art

[Photo credit: Amanda Cass]

I've been on the look out for my next painting. I bought my first painting by Melissa Moss just a few months ago from a boutique on the corner of Cooke Street & Kapiolani Boulevard (which went out of business right after), and I think I'm developing an addiction for painting and graphic art. I've been addicted to Red Bubble for some time now and sometimes I'm on that website more than Facebook or Twitter. Everything is quality art, by young and old artists who put themselves out there for people to admire (or gawk) at the genius who came up with fascinating images and concepts.

I'm feeling this dandelion painting. Anything with flowers makes my day. What do you think? Look at a larger version here.

Haute Fiber

I personally designate this gallery "Haute Fiber," not only because it proudly boasts the word "innovative," but also because it is one of the sassiest exhibits I've seen throughout my years at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. It's satisfying to know that we are among creative and innovative people that can create such beautiful objects and concepts that stem from a certain inspiration.

The Commons Gallery at the UH Manoa Art Building room 141 caught my eye today. This is an awesome exhibit for students to display their work, this theme was more like a fashion challenge in which they had to use different fibers to construct a decent yet artistic garment.

Here we have Courtney Baughman's "Ballgown," which is made of yellow and white softball covers stitched together with red ribbon. On the card, she's quoted saying, "This piece is made of softballs which has been a big part of my life. The style of the dress reflects more about my personality (girly, flirty, light-hearted and fun)."

This ensemble is one of my favorites in the gallery. The shape and volume of the skirt takes my breath away.

This playful piece was created by Ida Kawailani Leonardi and is called "Hula pa'u." She describes the piece, "Inspired by Hula dancers and Hula Kahiko or Ancient/Traditional Hula. Kapa was a fiber sometimes used for clothing and hula pa'u (skirts) in ancient Hawaii."

There's a lot more to see in this gallery, check it out at the UH Manoa Art Building Commons Gallery 141.