Personal Faves of the LA Art Show

There was lots to see at the LA Art Show. The art from all over the world was truly impressive. I wish I could write about everyone. However, there were two artists that I found myself drawn to. Their voice, their skill drew me in.

I met Tony Abeyta last year at the LA Art Show. I was simply awed by his work. I consider myself a Los Angeles writer. I love my town, and often use it as a back drop for my work.

I like that Mr. Abeyta does that with his paintings. The Southwest has an active art scene, but is sometimes dismissed as, well, being the Southwest. There can be regional snobbery, which I find defeats the purpose of an artistic community.

I fell inlove with the Southwest when I'd visit my college friend in New Mexico. Back then, the Southwest was a really big. Fashion, design and art, particularly by Georgia O'keeffe and R.C. Gorman, was being widely explored.

I love that he uses Native American iconagraphy in his abstracts.

Another favorite was discovering the work of the late S.C. Yuan brought down from Carmel by Trotter Galleries. I was happy to see a person of Asian descent in a gallery known for "early California & American Paintings."

I loved his color palate, and the spirit his paintings evoked. From his bio, one read: "Despondent over what he felt was lack of recognition for his work, his inability to become nationally known, and his failing marriage, Yuan took his own life and died September 6, 1974."



I had a discussion with a gallerist about Pacific Standard Time, which hopes to solidify Southern California as an active part of post-war art. He wasn't sure if PST had done that. However, I did think PST did manage to explore the work of artists of color who were never mentioned.


It would be great if they could do PST Northern California, and Mr. Yuan's work would finally get the recognition it deserves.


Let's take a look at this still life.

Look at the brush work of this painting. I loved that he piled it on thick! Of all the paintings I'd seen, I probably spent the most time gazing into the work of Mr. Yuan. Mr. Yuan thank you.

LA Art Show thank you for bringing art from all over to my city!

Sculpture and Stuff

There were some wacky things that were shown at the LA Art Show. Among all of the beautiful paintings and vibrant colors, it was nice to see some work that was a little more challenging.



I liked this pod theme. I really had to look at it to comprehend what it was about. I like seeing art that causes me to see the world differently.

These life-like torsos was something to behold!

This three-eyed Asian dude gave me the creeps--in a good way. He stands about 2 and half feet and was positioned behind glass. I wondered what was the artist's intent in doing this. The "third eye" is an important pychic trait in some cultures. Seen in that way, it becomes less scary and more provocative.

Oh, Buddha! More from the LA Art Show

Like last year, China was well represented at the LA Art Show. Read 2011 blog post here. The China Pavillion was truly charming, particularly the presentation of Buddhas. Spirituality was absent at last year's show. 2011 exhibited more of China's nationalism. This time we're asked to look deeper into the Chinese soul.



These paintings of monks made me pause.


Some revered Tibetan Buddhist leaders were among the Buddha Show.



There were some naysayers who felt all this joyful Tibetan stuff was propaganda by the Chinese. Tibetan life under China is not as tranquil as these paintings portray. Point well taken. I noticed that His Holiness the Dalai Lama was not painted among the portraits. HHDL is, of course, considered an enemy of the state.

Regardless, the artist's skill of these paintings can not be denied. You can't tell from this post, but the next picture was HUGE. Maybe 20 feet by 40 feet. It's basically a mural--and this was worth the price of admission.

The LA Art Show is HERE!!!

I went to the opening night of the LA Art Show. What an amazing event. It's great to start off the year being exposed to art from all over the world. Galleries and artists make the trek to our glamorous city to see if we're intereted in paintings, sculture, prints. If you're wondering, you bet we are.

I spoke with one gallerist who had come for the past several years because the LA scene is so supportive of artists. Another gallerist said she has three different booths at the show to showcase work from the east coast. She contacted her west coast clients, and was happy to see that they came.

I'll be blogging about the event all weekend, so keep dropping by. The China Pavillion, Santa Fe Art, the Buddhist exhibit, Northern California galleries were a highlight for this writer. I'll be sharing images in the next few days.


One critique I had about last year's show was the lack of social commentary that art can provide. That was not the case this year as visitors were greeted with performance artists carrying signs educating us about rape. It grounded the evening, reminding us that art can inspire change and thought.



Upon entering, it seemed the energy changed quite drastically as we're greeted with a large fortune cookie!

The fortune cookie theme continued into the show...

There was a showing of some familiar names:
Jasper Johns

Basquiat

Joan Miro

There is a ton to see. Go check it out.

Write in 2012!

I start my Winter writing class on January 25th! Come write with me. Click here.

What's Your Story?

Last year, the White House Initiative on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs asked members of the community to submit a video called "What's Your Story?" The purpose was to highlight the accomplishments of Asians in America. Here is my contribution. It was on the mighty Prince Gomolvilas. I make fun of Prince whenever I get. I've called him Thai crackhead and a whore, but I have to admit: he's talented.

With affection, here's my video of that crack--ur, fine artist Prince.

Long Beach Literary Life

I was invited to this really cool literary event. I'll be reading at around 1:30pm. Come for the day. Would love to see ya!

A New Plot Twist

Earlier this year, I was appointed to the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs, a body that makes recommendations to the Governor's Office and the Legislature on matters concerning the Asian and Pacific Islander Communities. While others had been congratulating me--and my family is ecstatic!--I was actually alarmed at my new role. I am flattered that there were those who felt my background and knowledge would qualify me for this. When I was asked to apply, I said, jokingly, I would do it just to see if I'd pass the background check. This required them looking into my credit and financial records.

It's odd to say that I'm a "Commissioner." When I think of "Commissioner," I think of some old guy, maybe someone who'd been to war, and has a gruff old voice. You know, like Commissioner Gordon from the Batman comics. There was a part of me that thought my creative voice will somehow be stifled. In going through the background check, I made it clear that I'm a writer who firmly believes in Free Speech. There was no way that my Voice will be quieted. On my curriculum vitae, I did point out that I was anthologized in Best Gay Asian Erotica, and if they had a problem with that, just throw my application in the trash right now.

Apparently, there was no problem with that. So, I'm a commissioner. It's been interesting work, which included meeting with the Governor's Staff in Sacramento, and listening to the needs of the community. I'd been going to "hearings," where people and organizations talk about what the collective community is worried about. It's actually been quite informative.

Recently, I went to a hearing in Long Beach to hear a survey taken with Cambodian youth, an underserved community still experiencing the traumatizing effects of the Killings Fields. I sat with Assemblymembers Mike Eng, Bonnie Lowenthal and Warren Furutani as we became educated about this community experiencing an array of issues: racial profiling, immigration, education. All of this I will report back to the statewide committee.

I was truly moved by the youth who provided personal testimony of being pulled over by cops or having a relative deported. I found their civic engagement inspiring.

I know I have new duties under my belt, but these young people have it harder. I wouldn't want to be a teenager again for all the chocolate at Hershey.

Who Needs Vampires When You Have Art?

My latest on the Huffington Post. It's on artist Bonnie Lambert. Click here.

Teaching Again...

I started teaching again. I'm doing an Intro to Fiction Writing course, and I truly value it. It forces me to go back to the basics. I instruct students to write atleast 10 minutes a day--something I forget to do sometimes.

Going back to how to do things from the beginning is always good, I think.

Character Development

I'd been thinking about a character all day. I didn't write about him, because he was so new that I was afraid that he wouldn't last. I do this all the time: think up people and put them in a story. However, I know to let the idea gestate. I have too many stories with just a few sentences, but don't go anywhere.

I wanted to make sure this character sticks, particularly if he's going to be in my new novel. I started working on him tonight. I won't tell you much, but his name is Eduardo Betancourt, the son of an ambassador.

Creativity in Another Form

I hope you can attend this! It's the first time that I'm exhibiting work in public. I'd love to see some supportive faces!


Please join me and my fellow artists:

Akumal Blur

Here I am in a bar in Mexico. It pretty much represents my time there--colorful, playful, and one huge blur! In other words, it went by so quickly that what I felt and what I experienced can not be contained in one blog post. It can not be contained in several blog posts--it was that incredible.

What made it astounding was that I'd never done anything like this before. I went away with a bunch of other writers with the intention of doing nothing but writing (of course, we ventured outside of our rooms to enjoy the local flavor, as the photo above proves). We were asked to observe the writing hours of 9am-12pm and 3pm-5pm. Those hours were dedicated to writing.

On the first day, I'd done more in the first three hours than in the previous nine months! I learned alot about myself and about my book. I decided to strip away characters and voices that don't serve the story--we're talking atleast 100 pages here!

I had a deep honest look about what I wanted to accomplish with my third novel, and I discovered that I was going in the wrong direction. Hub-boy. But I feel better about my choices with this book. I feel more at ease.

Thanks to Radar Productions. Michelle, Ali, Beth, and Christina--you rock!

Journey to Akumal

Most of my writing life is kind of dull. I'm by myself, filled with dread and awe. I wonder what will happen with my creativity, if something will come out of a writing session I commit to. Some writers call it drudgery. And, sometimes, it is.

Every once and awhile, I'll get to do something cool though. Like get a writing fellowship. Which I did! I'm heading off to spend ten days in Akumal, Mexico with a bunch of other writers. All of this with the generosity of RADAR Productions.

I have definate goals for this trip. I'm bringing a ton of research material, an old draft of my third novel, a newer draft which needs some revising. I intend to rewrite 25 old pages and write 25 new pages. Of course, I'll still be on a beach in Mexico--I hope I can focus.

Here's a recent interview.

My First Love

I did a reading of Aurelio Locsin's play "Family Affair." It was really fun studying a character again and doing ensemble work on stage. I never thought going to "rehearsal" would be such joy again.

In the audience was someone who was more familiar with my literary life. He'd seen me host at Skylight, and he told me that he knew I did other things...but not acting! I told him that theatre was my first love. It's still a love.

However, I started to write because my first love was always hard to come by. She was like the popular girl you wanted to spend time with in high school, but she would only give you the time of day at her whim.

I probably wouldn't have written if the acting game wasn't so hard. Now, that I've written and consider myself a writer, could I return to my first love? And not feel slighted if she chooses not to spend time with me? Would I find joy just in the pursuit of her?

New Works Festival--August 14th

East West Players is having their Summer 2011 David Henry Hwang New Works Festival. And I'll be a part of it. No, no, not as a writer, but as one of the actors. Yes!

Playwright Aurelio Locsin is having a reading of his new play and I'll be reading one of the characters. Director Dom Magwili asked me to play the role of LD, a rather plain accountant who is ending a relationship. We had our first rehearsal last Sunday...it was good to go to "rehearsal" again.

Here are the details:

Family Affair by Aurelio Locsin
Directed by Dom Magwili

Filipino-American LD and Anglo Kenny decide to break up their long-term gay relationship. LD’s family, who like Ken better than LD, are thrown into turmoil. Do they try to get them together or push for the separation?...

Starring:Noel Alumit, Melody Biutiu, James M. Dyer, Christian Estrada, Ronalee Par Miyasaki, Alden Rey

ADMISSION IS FREE but parking costs, unless you can find free street parking.

(This is a staged reading, so no costumes, props or lights. Just some great acting and directing.)

When: August 14 at 8pm

Where: East West Players, 120 Judge John Aiso Street in Little Tokyo, downtown LA.

Thanks, Phyllis. Thanks a Whole Bunch

Today I went to the memorial for Phyllis Gebauer, a writer and well loved writing teacher. I took a class with her in 1999 at writing conference. It forever changed my writing life. She gave me hardcore literary techniques on how to write. She was a dear friend to the amazing writer Thomas Pynchon, and gleaned writing advice from him.

From that class, I also bonded with several other writers. Phyllis created a safe, unifying space for us to learn. Recently, we had a gathering and toasted her memory.

I have no shame in saying that in my own life as a teacher, I've stolen many of her techniques. I sat in a church in Pasadena listening to others memorialize her. I took it all in and teared up. I'll miss this lady.

She'd taught many writers, and her legacy will live on in us.

Idyllwild, Where Have You Been All My Life?

Friend and Author Eduardo Santiago started a reading series in Idyllwild, a small town up in the San Jacinto Mountains. I was invited to read my work. I'd never been to Idyllwild. I don't know why. I'd always heard about it, but never had the gumption to go. Now that I'd been there, I wondered what took me so long?!?!?

I had a great time in this small town of four thousand people. And the residents make it a point to keep it a small town. No chains stores are allowed. No 7-11, no McDonalds, no Ralphs.

A nice crowd came to the event, including a book club from Palm Springs.

With Eduardo and Lauren of B's Mountain of Books, the store hosting the event.

It was a wonderful experience. Spending time in the mountains was truly restorative. I'm already planning my trip back.

The New Suzie

Last month I interviewed pioneering actress Nancy Kwan. She made it big in The World of Suzie Wong, where she plays a prostitute with a heart of gold. I caught up with her as she celebrated 50 years in show business. A documentary on her life was being shown where she talks about losing her only son to AIDS. I interviewed her about AIDS awareness in the Asian community.

This, of course, got me thinking about a writing project called The New World of Suzie W. It'll be a modern take of this Asian woman, dealing with her crumbling life. Instead of Hong Kong, she lives in Silverlake. Instead of prostituting, she's an aging artist forced to whore her creativity. Hmmmm.

AIDS at 30

Wasn't there supposed to be a cure by now? It's been 30 years since AIDS entered our conciousness. There's been a lot of discussion about it. The fine journalist Karen Ocamb asked me to write a personal essay on AIDS. I chose to remember my friend James Sakakura (pictured above). Here's my contribution:

My standard of beauty at the time was some white guy. Seeing James, a well-built Asian man with a bald head and full lips made my head spin. He challenged my concept of beauty. Read more here.

Coming Through

Some of you may have remembered how I went through the process of trying to get my third book published. Well, here we are, a year later, and no book contract in sight. I must confess that in the last year, I'd experienced some (alot) of depression over this. But, today, May 21st, I think I'm coming out of it.

Yes, some predicted the End of the World today. Well, part of my world had ended--that part of hoping, yearning, praying that someone will want to put my next book into print. I even started entering my collection of short stories into contests, hoping that it'll win a publication. Not too long ago, I got a rejection letter from one contest stating that I'm not the winning manuscript. Oh!

It's a tough time out there, and I'm not the only author getting rejected. However, it stings. It really does. Or rather, it really did!

I'm feeling back to my old self again. Welcome back, Noel. I missed you.

Screenwriter?

Where have I been? Well, I'd been writing. My 2011 goal was creative success, so I'm trying new things. A little while ago, I was asked to work on a screenplay, something I'd never done before. I didn't think writing a screenplay was my cup of oolong. But I'd never tried it.

After spending several weeks on it, I must admit that I have a new respect for screenwriters. Really. You have to understand that in Los Angeles EVERYONE seems to be working on a screenplay. The kid in Starbucks is working on a screenplay. It is common lingo in LaLa Land to say, "I'm working on a screenplay."

I was telling a friend about my latest venture, and she encouraged me. She said you SHOULD write a screenplay. Lord knows, there are people who can't write who are writing a screenplay. I thought, yeah!

More later.

Porn Prodigy

My latest post for Huffington is on emerging performing artist Bobby Gordon. Check it out here.

Japan, Part II

Strangely, my friend Dan Kunosoki, did some investigating and found the commercial that I did for Japan. I hadn't seen this in over 20 years!

Oh, Japan

Here's a picture that I keep in my apartment. I'm all of 20 years old. I was booked on a commercial/print job for a Japanese company. I was just starting my creative life, so that period in my development will always be memorable for me.

I remember my audition. I had been smoking, but decided not to smoke that day. I didn't want to smell like cigarettes. I arrived at my audition, and it was for a cigarette commercial! They asked me if I'd be willing to smoke. Of course, I said, Yes! They must have seen the relief on my face when I inhaled. They hired me. I was flown to New Mexico with two other actors and had an AWESOME time.

Later that year, I visited Japan, and thought Tokyo was an incredible city. I thought the Japanese people were truly hospitable, and have always felt a kinship with them.

What's been going on in Japan has devastated me. The Japanese and Americans of Japanese descent that I've known have played an integral part of my life, and I know that they're hurting right now.

It's hard, but I know they'll recover. Their strength continues to inspire me.

Save Our Libraries

Come check this out! I'm hosting this.