Yellena’s Blog

“Instill” at Gallery Hijinks in San Francisco

I’ve just returned home to Portland from my trip down to San Francisco for the opening of my new show, Instill, at Gallery Hijinks.

It’s been a while since I’ve posted anything on my blog, and a LOT has happened since my last post.  As a rule, when I get silent on here, it means that I am either traveling or working very hard, or more often both.  I am incredibly pleased with the way this show came together. I had so much fun at the opening and I got to see & meet so many amazing people.  I have 19 pieces in this new collection, including a 58″ x 42″ drawing mounted on wood panel.  It’s been a work in progress for a couple of years and I’m so happy I finally get to see it up on the wall.  The gallery is working on a photo/video feature on this piece, so I’ll follow up soon with that.  It’s called “Immerse.”

“Immerse” 58 x 42, Pen & Ink on paper mounted on wood panel

I also did an installation in the front windows of the gallery using primarily paper & string.  It’s my first installation attempt and now I can’t wait to experiment more with 3D.

Besides my installation and the highly-detailed oversized drawing, I also experimented with some new colors and styles. Here are some pieces I did on paper, where I started adding more geometric elements among my signature organic shapes.

“Radiance” 11 x 14, pen & ink on paper 

“Entice” 11 x 14, pen & ink on paper

I also added darker backgrounds to some of my pieces

“Crush” 12 x 12, pen & ink and gouache on clayboard

All-in-all, it was another wonderful trip down to California for me. The weather was almost as beautiful as the people I got to spend time with, and San Francisco remains one of my favorite places on earth. I even showed up for the first time in the city’s historic paper, the San Francisco Chronicle!

Many many thanks again to my hosts, Jillian and Joe from Hijinks, all of the people who purchased artwork, and everyone else who took the time and made it out to the opening. Thank you all for such a wonderful trip.

Yellena James at Gallery Hijinks, San Francisco - Nov. 20th

My new show, Biosynthesis, opens on Saturday, 11/20 (6-10pm) @ the Hijinks Gallery — Brand new artwork, including a 96″ painting, some smaller paintings, drawings, and lots of in-between, with installation by SF artist Pete Belkin.. come by & say “hi.” Gallery Hijinks is a new gallery in the Mission run by some super amazing people with tons of experience in the art scene and an impeccable eye for great art.

Here’s a link to their blog-post and downloadable press release, and another link to an interview they just put up this morning. The show will run from November 20th, 2010 - Jan 1st, 2011. Hope to see you!

Biome - 14×10 pen+ink on paper © Yellena James 2010

My Artwork on Modern Family!

A few weeks ago, I received an email from the set director of ABC’s “Modern Family” (Wednesday nights @9pm *pst). They were getting ready to shoot the current season & she was wanting some artwork to decorate the set with. As it happens, I’m a huge fan of the show and, needless to say, I was more than happy to send her some. ;) Since then I’ve been watching every show like a hawk trying to spot my artwork.  SO exciting!!

If you’ve never seen the show, be sure to tune in on Wednesday! Pay extra close attention and you just might spot some of my artwork on the walls.

 (hint: “Season” is at the top of the stairs by Mr. & Mrs. Dunphee’s room ;)

“Flit” and “Fling” prints by Yellena on ABC’s “Modern Family”

Tonight! @ Together Gallery — Elemental w/ APAK, Betsy Walton, Jill Bliss and Me

Portland, Oregon - The artists’ reception for Elemental, a collaboration between myself, Jill Bliss, Aaron & Ayumi Piland (APAK), and Betsy Walton, is TONIGHT from 6-9pm! We will be at the Together Gallery on Alberta & NE 28th.

I’m very excited about this show. I was a fan of all of these artists before ever meeting them and an even bigger fan afterward. It’s been absolutely wonderful getting together with talented friends to share ideas, paint brushes, pizzas, stories, inspiration, etc., and I think the final result is a compelling & energized blend of all of our different styles. It’s so nice to see how all of the elements have come together!

The show officially opens tomorrow and will remain on the walls until August 22nd. So, if you can’t make it tonight, you can still check out the artwork anytime before then. Also, we’re working to get the entire show online for those of you not in Portland. If you are interested in buying one of the pieces or want to take a look at the work, keep an eye on Together’s website - www.togethergallery.com

Here’s a sneak peek –

See you there! =)

20×2MUCH SALE at 20×200

If you are thinking of picking up one of the “Myriad” prints from my 20×200 exclusive - or any of the other limited-edition prints that 20×200 has to offer - today would be the day!

One day only, site-wide sale:  20% off all print orders of $50 or more
Enter code 20×2much at Google checkout.Sale ends at midnight PST, tonight, Friday, April 30

“Myriad” - Now on 20×200

Here she is, on sale now at 20×200.com!!

Her name is Myriad.

A limited-edition archival print of my original pen & ink piece. If you missed today’s newsletter, be sure to catch the next 20×200 release by signing up HERE!

Tomorrow — 20×200!

I’m excited to announce that I will be releasing a brand new print tomorrow, March 30th - exclusively through 20×200! 

On a Sunday night back in January 2007, Jen Bekman came up with a formula:

(limited editions x low prices) + the internet = art for everyone

20×200 has received a lot of attention since Jen first mentioned it in GOOD Magazine back in April 2007. There have been online write-ups and some good print press too: Domino Magazine, The New York Times, New York Magazine, GQ, Sunset Magazine, PDN, Houston Chronicle, New York Post, ReadyMade, STEP and Dwell Magazine have all done features.. so far, and there’s more to come.

The best way to stay up-to-date on 20×200 and all of its artists is to be signed up for Jen’s newsletter. Subscribers get advanced notice of new editions, an inside perspective on 20×200 art and artists, the scoop on list-only events and special offers. Savvy collectors know that this is their best - and sometimes only - chance to snap up a print from popular, fast-selling releases. Jen’s dispatches are educational, opinionated, and often irreverent - browse the archives and see for yourself, then SIGN UP and keep an eye on your inbox.

Be sure to tune in tomorrow! =)

Sold out.

More than tiny thanks to TinyShowcase for the opportunity to work together, and to Doctors w/o Borders for all that you do — I’ve seen it firsthand and it’s amazing.

Most especially, endless thanks to all who jumped in to support. I hope you enjoy “Nourish” for years to come. This was a good night!!

Best wishes,
Yellena

Schoolhouse Electric Co. (& more)

Wow, it’s been a while! So much has been going on, but I haven’t had my office set up to blog about all of it lately. First off - Happy belated new year everyone!  Many many thanks to all who gave support in 2009!!!!  It was an exciting year & 2010 promises to be another year filled with fresh potential and exciting opportunities. 

A few things that have happened lately & I will expand on these later… The big one - bought a house here in Portland!! It’s a cute 2-story with a 1000sf shop/studio in the back, perfect for things like large paintings, letterpresses, kilns ;), silkscreening, and just about anything else.  I’ll be sure to post the ‘after’ pics once I have some. For now, I’m still getting my office unpacked.

More news to look forward to.. I’ve just started designing some kicks for Keds, the snowboards I did with K2 are now in stores, planning a solo show in Barcelona through ROJO in the spring, collaborative exhibit in Portland this summer (wait til you hear who with ;).. and so much more!

Now, for a long over-due post.. I know it’s already out there in blogworld since Design*Sponge and Apartment Therapy (SF), and other art and interior design blogs have mentioned it (Many many thanks to all of you!!), but here are some pics of the colaboration I did with Schoolhouse Electric Co. - who were WONDERFUL to work with - and I’m still blown away by the results. Check it out -

Artwork Online @ GR2.net

The artwork from Zoetic is now available online - www.gr2.net/artshow.php

Many thanks to everyone who came out for the reception. It was wonderful meeting all of you. For those who purchased artwork from the show, I am truly grateful and I hope you enjoy it for years to come!! =)

Thank you Giant Robot once again for having me and for another remarkable and memorable experience! Also, Congratulations GR on 15 years of entertaining and inspiring us all.

“Immerse”  5′ x 4′ pen & ink on paper - my biggest piece to date!