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Ray Sumser, Emily (My sister) and I at Poster signing

The Whole Inspired by California Team! (from left): Elijah Photenhauer, Maureen Halligan, Gazelle Rider, Ray Sumser, Nick Anderson, Adrian Rasmussen, Kirby Scudder, and Mark Halfmoon

All 6 artists will be at the finish line expo on Tuesday, May 18th of the Amgen Tour of California, painting the bus that will carry artist Kirby Scudder and filmmaker Mark Halfmoon on their journey across the state this summer.

Kirby Scudder:
“We are incredibly excited that we will be at the finish line of stage 3 of the Amgen Tour of California in Santa Cruz painting our bus for our tour of California. The 6 California Artists that have donated their Art work for a limited edition print series that will help finance our trip, will be on hand to paint the Inspired by California bus on My 18th. Artists; Ray Sumser, Maureen Halligan, Gazelle Rider, Nick Anderson, Adrian Rasmussen, Alijah Photenhauer. These Artists help launch our  3 month journey asking the people of California what inspires them about this amazing State. ”

We are also planning a poster signing on Saturday, May 22nd at Artisan’s Gallery where all 6 prints will be available for purchase for the first time! Kirby Scudder and Mark Halfmoon will be on hand to give more information on their project, Inspired by California. More details as they arise!

I was chosen to be one of six artists to create a poster inspired by the project. These six artists will also paint the bus that will carry Scudder and Halfmoon along their journey, live at the Amgen tour of California on May 18th and will host poster signings along the trip. All proceeds from poster sales will fund the project.

For more information and to see the rest of the poster designs, visit: http://www.inspiredbycalifornia.com

The legendary Joseph Grimaldi is widely credited with incorporating fake food into his comedy acts to delight British audiences of the 1800s and is recognized for developing the often dubious art of prop humor. This exhibit celebrates the spirit of Joseph Grimaldi and his greatest rubber prop, the chicken!

*chickens not guaranteed to measure anything accurately, safely, or in any logical manner

The Mill Gallery

at the Pacific Blue Inn
131 Front Street
Santa Cruz, Ca
Friday, May 7th 5-9PM

Santa Cruz Sentinel:

The Mill Gallery at the Pacific Blue Inn

131 Front Street
Santa Cruz, CA

Reception: Friday, February 5th 5-9pm.

Flying – moving through the air using wings, carried through the air by the wind or any other force or agency. The exhibit is an installation including; painting, sculpture, photography, installation and more centered around the topic of flying. The show is in part inspired by the October, 2009 story of “Balloon Boy’, Falcon Heene whose parents faked their sons disappearances in a helium balloon over Colorado.

This project celebrates flying , from birds to space stations with a local flare. The concept was born 8 months ago during a conversation between Gazelle and Kirby. Gazelle, an avid bird enthusiast wanted to produce an exhibit about her birds and their specific idiosyncratic behavior. The concept grew to embrace the broader aspects of flying. This show will surprise and enlighten. Also featuring: Comedian Richard Stockton and other guest appearances.

“The works for this installation were inspired by my two pet Pacific Parrotlets, Pie and Salsa. Parrotlets are the smallest species of parrots kept in captivity yet their personalities are like those of a much larger parrot. They are intelligent, active and feisty. They look cute and cuddly, and they can be…sometimes. The rest of the time they’re sneaky and mischievous and know how to get what they want. They act like spoiled children sometimes, but I wouldn’t have them any other way. Their silly antics are a source of constant amusement. This series came from my love and fascination for my feathered friends, I have tried to communicate their vibrant personalities through the use of pattern and color and with a variety of mediums”.