The collage effect highlights the fantasy and unrealness of the work, bringing a sense of play, as if we are not bound to realism. These are representations of ideas of places I want to go or find beautiful, adding a sense of adventure to my heart even if I’m just stuck at home. I think about the tropical, where I’m from; the monastic, where I dream to be; and nature, which is often out of reach for someone without a car.
I love seeing these sides of myself. The expressions on my face and the ways I style and pose make me feel like I’ve satisfied myself and my vision.
The elements of costume are incredibly fun to come up with. A lot of the time, it feels like I’m not making clothes but sculptures.
Each collage certainly feels like a story or a tableau—a sense of a character in a unique place.
I appreciate how, sometimes, the collage flattens certain bits while adding texture to others. It’s a good idea to experiment more with mixed-media techniques. What would that look like?
Styling and capturing these looks lift my spirits. While the work doesn’t reflect my emotional state at the time, I do feel a bit of a neuro-reward in anticipating the finished product and imagining what people will see and like about it on social media.
These collages are an important part of my art practice because I make so many costumes and accessories, and I am my most accessible (and inspiring) model.
There’s a sense of surrealness to the styles I choose. They often have a jester-like, whimsical quality that feels sculptural, symbolizing play and invention.
I have been pleasantly surprised by how things work out. A ball of yarn or a large skein that I thrifted can sometimes be just the right size for a certain proportion—or, rather, it feels satisfying to let the material choose its own length.
I am currently using Pinterest’s collage tool and then color-correcting the images.
Creating these works feels empowering. It represents my love for image-making, styling, and coordinating these characters and their backdrops.
I would like to make a portrait-collage of someone else, guiding them through the process of crafting costume elements, trying them on, and photographing them. Wearing something is a great way to quality-check—ensuring there are no pins left behind—and to reflect on how it all comes together. Photographing the work gives me the distance I need to see it as someone else might.
This process feels like personal therapy. It’s like looking in a mirror, affirming my creativity, my body, and how I can wear my art. It feels as natural and comforting as my own feathers, a form of preening and self-expression.
I’m working on an EP called Soul-Making and Presence and I thought that this song should just be out there for people to refer to. (image and song made by ChatGPT and me)– are there ethics to be formed about labelling my AI collabs? Or a simple note for copyright, use this image at your own peril.
Rave Mother (Verse 1) Proud rave mother, with my hydrobag, let’s go, Got everything you need, I’m ready for the show, Gum, granola, all the snacks in tow, Chapstick, sunscreen, earplugs, let the bass flow. I’ve got the fans, glitter in my hand, Vicks for the senses, I’m your biggest fan. Portable charger, keep the night alive, Here to watch your back, make sure you thrive.
(Chorus) I’m your Rave Mother, in the neon lights, With my magic bag, I’ll keep you right. Sensory slugs and sunglasses tight, In the chaos, I’ll be your guide tonight. I’m your Rave Mother, I’m here to care, Bringing the love, everywhere.
(Verse 2) First aid kit for when the beat gets wild, Peppermint oil, and a bandaid smile. Fruit candy, cough drops, lavender breeze, With a mist of water, I’ll set your mind at ease. Narcan ready, in case things get tough, We rave together, but I’ll always play rough love. Bandanas, N95s, tissues in hand, Every rave’s a journey, I understand.
(Chorus) I’m your Rave Mother, in the neon lights, With my magic bag, I’ll keep you right. Sensory slugs and sunglasses tight, In the chaos, I’ll be your guide tonight. I’m your Rave Mother, I’m here to care, Bringing the love, everywhere.
(Bridge) Two pairs of shades for the light and dark, Feeling the beat, dancing in the park. With glitter and shine, I’ll make your day, For the ones feeling low, I’ll light the way. Extra pash, fluffy hat on my head, Raving with heart, we’ll never dread.
(Chorus) I’m your Rave Mother, in the neon lights, With my magic bag, I’ll keep you right. Sensory slugs and sunglasses tight, In the chaos, I’ll be your guide tonight. I’m your Rave Mother, I’m here to care, Bringing the love, everywhere.
(Outro) Gum that never quits, kaleidoscope sight, With love and care, we’ll dance through the night. Rave Mother forever, through thick and thin, Let’s rave together, let the music spin.
Embracing Innovation Through Guided Meditation: A Personal Journey Inspired by Henri Bergson
Back in February, I embarked on a creative journey inspired by the philosophies of Henri Bergson, particularly his ideas surrounding time, intuition, and the fluidity of experience. This exploration led me to develop a series of guided meditations that blend personal reflection with innovative writing techniques.
Using ChatGPT as a collaborator, I crafted these meditations to create a soothing and immersive experience. The process involved integrating my journal entries, which served as the foundation for each session. By distilling my thoughts and emotions into guided meditations, I aimed to foster a space for relaxation and introspection, encouraging a deeper connection with my inner self.
What excites me most about this approach is its uniqueness—melding personal storytelling with the art of meditation allows for a richer narrative experience. As I navigated through my reflections, I discovered new layers of meaning and insight, transforming my journaling practice into a dynamic and innovative writing tool.
Through this fusion of philosophy, technology, and personal exploration, I invite you to consider how guided meditations can enhance your own creative processes. Embrace the fluidity of thought, let intuition guide you, and explore the possibilities of innovative writing—just as I did, inspired by the timeless ideas of Bergson.
I also used Chat GPT to create the ASCII arts to accompany the meditative tracks.
After two years of running my Wonder Wednesday Workshop, I’ve presented on over a hundred artists. These informal artist gatherings have been very informative to my practice as an artist and an art instructor.
1. Fine Art Masters
Artists known for their influence on the trajectory of art history, technical mastery, and lasting impact on traditional fine art.
Albrecht Dürer
Edvard Munch
Frida Kahlo
Giorgio de Chirico
Gustav Klimt
Henri Matisse
Marc Chagall
Rembrandt
Paul Gauguin
Georgia O’Keeffe
Max Ernst
2. Surrealism and Fantasy
Artists working in surrealism, fantastical storytelling, and dream-like imagery.
Salvador Dalí
Leonora Carrington
Max Ernst
Dorothea Tanning
Rene Magritte
Hieronymus Bosch
Franz Marc
Jim Woodring
Mark Ryden
Sandra Vásquez de la Horra
3. Modernism and Abstraction
Artists known for abstraction, experimentation with form, color, and breaking away from traditional representation.
Wassily Kandinsky
Paul Klee
Cy Twombly
Piet Mondrian
Fernand Léger
Louise Bourgeois
Joan Miró
El Lissitzky
Francis Picabia
Marcel Duchamp
Mark Rothko
4. Illustration and Narrative Art
Illustrators and artists whose work is rooted in storytelling, narrative forms, and character-driven art.
Beatrix Potter
Dr. Seuss
Charles Schulz
Maurice Sendak
E. H. Shepard
Arthur Rackham
Edward Gorey
Winsor McCay
Patrick McDonnell
John Alcorn
Kay Sage
Flannery
Frank Paul
Lucy Knisley
5. Humor, Satire, and Comics
Artists using humor, satire, and comic art to explore themes in an accessible and playful manner.
Gary Larson
Charles Schulz
Dr. Seuss
Bill Viola
Patrick McDonnell
6. Fantasy, Myth, and Folklore
Artists who dive into mythical, allegorical, and fantastical themes, often influenced by folk traditions or otherworldly imagery.
Arthur Rackham
Edmund Dulac
John Piccillo
Frida Kahlo
Tomi Ungerer
Pedro Linares
7. Nature and Organic Forms
Artists who draw inspiration from nature, organic shapes, and often incorporate elements of flora and fauna.
Georgia O’Keeffe
Audrey Flack
Hilma af Klint
Ernst Haeckel
Eyvind Earle
Beatrix Potter
Filippino Lippi
Yayoi Kusama
8. Female Pioneers and Feminist Art
Women artists known for breaking boundaries and contributing to the discourse on feminism, identity, and personal expression.
Frida Kahlo
Louise Bourgeois
Leonora Carrington
Sonia Delaunay
Georgia O’Keeffe
Hilma af Klint
Yayoi Kusama
Suzanne Valadon
Lucy Knisley
9. Expressionism and Emotional Depth
Artists who convey intense emotion, psychological themes, and human experience through their art.
Edvard Munch
Frida Kahlo
Francis Bacon
Egon Schiele
Paul Klee
Mark Rothko
Wassily Kandinsky
10. Conceptual and Performance Art
Artists focused on ideas, process, and performance, often challenging the boundaries between art and life.
Joseph Beuys
Tracey Emin
Yoko Ono
Marcel Duchamp
Andy Warhol
Jim Woodring
Solange Knopf
11. Architectural and Industrial Influence
Artists whose work is heavily influenced by architectural forms, design, or mechanical elements.
Alexander Calder
El Lissitzky
Sonia Delaunay
Erté
Fernand Léger
12. Science Fiction and Futurism
Artists blending technology, science, and futuristic imagery.
Michael Whelan
Frank Paul
Oryan Chappel
Codex Seraphinianus
13. Historical and Religious Themes
Artists whose work is rooted in historical or religious iconography and symbolism.
Hieronymus Bosch
Rembrandt
Marc Chagall
William Blake
Pedro Linares
Salvador Dalí
Filippino Lippi
14. Pop Art and Mass Media
Artists exploring popular culture, advertising, and mass media in their art.
Andy Warhol
Keith Haring
Roy De Forest
Gary Larson
15. Childhood, Fantasy, and Playfulness
Artists whose work evokes childlike wonder, playfulness, and fantasy worlds.
Maurice Sendak
Tove Jansson
Beatrix Potter
Winsor McCay
Eyvind Earle
Studio Ghibli
16. Dada and Absurdity
Artists working within the Dada movement, surrealism, or utilizing absurdity and randomness as part of their practice.
The theme of this photo shoot revolved around Bird Creatures, capturing the reality of handmade masks in a natural setting. I was inspired by my love for Lake Anza and my ongoing experiments with different mask styles. These geometric bird masks truly come alive in performance, and the natural environment seemed perfect, adding a dreamy quality to the shoot.
📍Location: Lake Anza
The shoot took place at Lake Anza, a location chosen for its proximity, beautiful lake, and lovely path with trees. The area also features a field that provided a versatile backdrop for our photos. My role in the shoot included being the Artistic Director, Logistics Collaborator, Model, and Costumer. I worked closely with Dominique Niagara, a fellow performer, and Jared, our photographer.
🎥A Memorable Moment
One particularly memorable moment during the shoot was when we worried whether the film would turn out due to the unpredictable behavior of the old camera. The lighting varied dramatically on different sides of the mountain; we anticipated golden light but were met with overcast and foggy conditions.
🧶Mask Construction
I used crochet and lace to construct the masks, which contributed to the final result with a fluffy, round texture and a delicate material for the beak. The beak was transparent, allowing the layering of the cone’s round sides to show, as well as the stitches from hand sewing. This unique construction, inspired by masks with lace for the face, added to the distinctive look of the masks. The cone part was inspired by a metaphor I’ve been exploring involving parrots—creatures needing a certain kind of care that we don’t necessarily know how to provide.
🎨Artistic Vision
These photos align with my personal style and artistic vision, incorporating handmade costumes, graceful poses, and allusions to ritual or mythos. I want viewers to experience a sense of child-like play, mystery, intrigue, and dreaminess from these photos.
🖤Innovative Aspects
One innovative aspect of this shoot was working with film that will be developed in black and white. We considered how the textures would interact with the background and the bodies in the composition. These images connect with my previous work of creating performances with handmade props and surreal photo shoots in natural settings, using natural light.
🌟Future Plans
I plan to do more photo shoots with these masks, potentially inviting more collaborators, and possibly create some kind of photo zine.
Sound and music contributions by Andrew Rose and Kevin Corcoran and Bill Wolter
Score design and composition by Bill Wolter
Direction by Fenner Merlick
Losing so much of my drenched self on the shore,
creating clods and cracks by the water’s prune-ish glistening surface,
wrinkled with wind and sparkled sun.
About places where you go repeatedly like a ghost:
boats, buoys, barges, bridges,
the infrastructure of waterways.
To want to have this constant motion,
is a yawn wet or dry?
The tide washes away all the signs
of our shoreline antics.
My mind spilled out into the water,
spread wetness between us until it can release itself by evaporation.
Observing from an unreasonable distance,
they cup their palms to hold
the few remaining drops,
fabric clings to a damp body.
Kismet Arts Tangent presents
Wetside of the Lake
May 9-11, 2024
Thu – Fri May 9-10, 7:30 PM; Sat May 11, 3:00 PM
60 mins without intermission
Studio 210, 3435 Cesar Chavez Blvd, SF, CA,
About Kismet Arts Tangent:
Kismet Arts Tangent, formerly known as Andomifevin, emerged after the success of “Potato Topos” at the SF Fringe Festival in 2022. Established in 2017, the ensemble comprises diverse co-artists committed to creating experimental performance art. They focus on trust, autonomy, and openness in their collaborative processes. The group continuously pushes artistic boundaries, offering transformative experiences to audiences. Follow the tangent on Instagram @kismetartstangent
photo by Robbie Sweeny
photo by Richie Rhombus
Katarina Countiss: asylum rules: gentleness, generosity– when the time comes, increase excitement, decrease inhibition. Trust. all of this is normal. You’re normal.
Fenner Merlick: An excellent opinionator, good at pretending, and handy with a bucket. They will throw themselves in the sea repeatedly if the moment calls for it. Sometimes responsible, often responsive.
Dominique Nigro: Infinitely inspired by both the mundane and fantastical, their art aims to explore the merging paradigms of these worlds by delving into highly emotional feeling states, improvisation, and technical movement forms. She will gladly catch and release any spiders you find in your home.
Andrew Rose: Rose is a performer and poet with a developed movement practice. He studies and gives humanities lectures at San Francisco State University, and is currently researching peace. Recent film performances can be seen in the special features section of unsold DVDs, and at unlisted links.
Annikah Peabody: Annikah is a budding multidisciplinary artist based in Oakland. She creates immersive art experiences at the crossroads of performance and visual art. Known for her performances and collaborations on diverse platforms, Annikah produces shows, explores various artistic mediums and endeavors to add her unique touch to the Bay Area arts scene.
David Jones: Some guy. Inspired by the movie Electric Dragon 80,000v, he once took up a career as a pet detective. Two cats were successfully found and returned to their homes thanks to this.
From the edges, still burbling bask,
squatting on the side of the lake
sucked into minutia when the air gets too slippery,
I breathe out of my skin.
Wetness as a blessing wetness as a curse,
heightened reality Cantina,
the wet side is where there is no fear of moisture.
Drenched in the stench of sticky sun,
soft throttle, cozy, and crispy.
I didn’t know
absurd elixir
an itchy feeling, parched
Deeply rest, you will never leave.
On the shores of the lake, a tale unfolds of a team of artists supported by their peers, collaborating to bring forth a creation under the looming deadline of a show. Yet, their intention extends beyond mere performance; they dream of perpetuating their ideas. In November, they began to envision their next project, one involving psychops and sound installations. They settled on a concept nestled within a local sex dungeon, envisioning walls draped in black plastic and adorned with numerous speakers to birth an installation of interactive performance art.
However, when the opportunity arose at Studio 210, not all were enthusiastic, deterred by the perceived constraints of a conventional theater space. Yet, the allure of working together persisted. In February, they reconvened, delving deeper into the development of their show. Challenges arose in maintaining cohesion throughout, with some unable to join the initial stages of development, and the director’s commitments to another production preventing their full participation. Despite the luxurious timeframe, the script remained fluid, with minimal time between its conception and the weeks leading up to the show.
The success of their structure, presented to audiences at the San Francisco International Arts Festival, lay in its expansiveness and variety. Deliberately avoiding characterization, they embraced an element of mystery, enhancing the audience’s experience. Gratitude is extended to Kevin Corcoran,, Andrew Rose, and Bill Wolter for their contributions to the soundtrack, with a special acknowledgment to Bill Wolter for crafting the master track, alleviating technical concerns.
Their previous production, “Potato Topos,” boasted a complex technical setup, but they found reassurance in Raphael, who swiftly adapted to manage sound, projection, and lighting. Thanks are also extended to Joshua for his invaluable assistance.
Yet, what truly sets this show apart is the connections forged and the camaraderie nurtured along the way. Grounded in presenting something idiosyncratic yet palpably authentic, they offered a performance characterized by diverse interactions and a profound sense of presence.
How to understand Wetside as a Process for Collaborators– Devised Theatre Process as Art Experience– Community Impact of Ensemble
We had two retreats. Clipper Cove pictured left and a private residence in Napa (right). We structured our time to be for bonding, development, restorative, etc. We had writing, movement, media, and marketing activities. Sharing time and place with these bodies of water helped us understand more about the dynamics of wetness and dryness. These longer sessions allowed us to focus and increase our awareness of our inspiration.
I would charge my future self with reflective questions about how to get this funded by grants, how to expand this to members of our audience, how to assess success by our own standards.
Yesterday, I had the opportunity to witness a truly unique and captivating photoshoot experience. The setting was unlike anything I had ever seen before – a fusion of creativity and spontaneity that left a lasting impression.
As I entered the space, I was immediately struck by the atmosphere. Laser lights danced across the room, casting intricate patterns on the walls and floor. A haze of smoke added an ethereal quality to the scene, creating an otherworldly ambiance. In the corner, an overhead projector illuminated the space with a mesmerizing glow, its light refracted through a bottle of blue liquid, casting a dreamlike hue over everything it touched.
Amidst this surreal backdrop, people began to assemble, each bringing with them items that held personal significance. Some carried books filled with stories and memories, while others brought forth musical instruments, their melodies filling the air with a sense of enchantment.
Despite the fantastical setting, there was an air of casualness and ease among the participants. While some offered gentle direction, suggesting poses or movements, others simply allowed the moment to unfold naturally. Laughter and conversation filled the room as people connected with each other, their interactions captured in fleeting glimpses by the keen eye of the photographer.
Amidst the chaos of lasers and smoke, genuine moments of connection emerged – a shared glance, a burst of laughter, a quiet exchange of words. These were the moments that truly defined the photoshoot, capturing the essence of the individuals involved in a way that felt authentic and true.
As I reflect on yesterday’s experience, I am filled with a sense of wonder and awe. It was a photoshoot unlike any other – a celebration of creativity, spontaneity, and the beauty of human connection, illuminated by lasers, smoke, and the gentle glow of a bottle of blue liquid.
Subjects: Andrew Rose, Fenner Merlick, Dominique Nigro, Kat Countiss Crew: Clare Photography: David Jones
Kismet Arts Tangent 