Saturday, August 25, 2018

Artichokes in August: Top of the Choke

“Artichokes in August: Top of the Choke” 2018

Thorny, protective leaves at the top of the artichoke is an almost impenetrable mandala of vegetable armor. It has deterred animals and man alike for centuries from getting quickly to the core of the thistle. But as will most things in life, it is worth the trouble to get to the center of the tootsie pop!

This final image from my woven artichoke series perfectly demonstrates blends the repetitive patterns of the leaves with the woven paper. The random direction in both paper and vegetable gives the image movement and a sense of time.

Julie Green
August 25, 2018


Saturday, August 18, 2018

Artichokes in August: Stem of the Thistle

“Artichokes in August: Stem of the Thistle” 2018

Edible extensions of the heart, the stem of an artichoke is often overlooked when preparing this delicacy. Most artichoke stems in the United States are cut short and sold at the market with just the bud for sale. I remember eating Carciofi con Gambo alla Romana for the first time in Rome. These long stemmed artichokes were drizzled in olive oil and seasoned with garlic, pepper and a blend of their Mentuccia Romana mint and parsley then braised in white wine. I had hit a culinary milestone...

The stem is considered the Roman artichoke's finest attribute in Italy. When peeled, it can be just as delicious as the heart. I'm sure you can find some long stemmed artichokes at your local farmers market. If not, ask them to leave the extension of the heart on next time they harvest their thistles.

Julie Green
August 18, 2018

Friday, August 17, 2018

Group Exhibition at Streamline Salon


"Howlin' Wolf No. 1" from The Mask Series

16 x 16" archival pigment print
© Julie Green


PASSAGE 3   RECEPTION AUGUST 18 7-10PM, STREAMLINE SALON, 3560 TARAVAL ST., SF

Capturing Transformation
60Six and Streamline present “Passage 3” a group photography show presenting work under the theme of transformation; political, psychological, cultural, environmental and technological.
Steve Molnar’s gelatin silver prints document the Nicaraguan people’s opposition to the government’s proposed canal, which would cut through the country as well as capturing daily ways of life in various communities, including the indigenous population of the Rama.
Henrik Kam’s photographic mandala images use google map satellite screen captures of images of troubled areas of the earth as the raw material for the work. The series “Anthropogenic Geography 2015-2018, Mandalas For Planet Earth” manifests healing energy, where a mysterious alchemy occurs from the artist’s process and materials.
Multi-disciplinary artist and composer Peter Whitehead, who has worked for years in music, sculpture and painting, shifts his eye to photography. His series of color iPhone photos capture the often ignored and seldom documented changing environment of the Bay Area’s Treasure Island.
This show also includes work by Michael Jang, David King, Pam Borrelli, Michele Willson and Los Angeles photographer Julie Green.
Opening reception is Saturday, August 18, 7-10pm at Streamline Salon, 3560 Taraval, SF CA (at 46th). Open through September 30 at Streamline. Check website for hours.
In October this show can be viewed by appointment at 60SIX at 12 Elgin Park SF CA 94103      
This show is hosted by 60SIX and Streamline but viewings only at Streamline until October.
http://www.gallery60six.com for more info:415-577-4396

"Pie" from Asia Muka: A Day in the Life of a Rock n' Roller
24 x 20" archival pigment print
© Julie Green

Saturday, August 11, 2018

Artichokes in August: Inside the Thistle

“Artichokes in August: Inside the Thistle” 2018

As I weave my way through my travels this summer, I have been happily come in contact with other artists who are exploring their part of the world in various ways. On a recent trip to the timeless village of Inverness, located on the cape of Point Reyes Seashore, fate brought me to the doorstep of local painter and educator Inez Storer.

We enjoyed a lengthy discussion about her multi-media process and shared stories about my mentor and teacher Jack Welpott, who used to work and live right down the street from her studio, as well as John Gutmann who had started the Fine Art Photography department at my alma mater San Francisco State University where she first started teaching back in 1969. I showed her images I have been working on from various series when she noticed the woven apples and artichokes.

She quickly drew the parallel between the images and the monumental grid work Chuck Close has created over the years. I hadn't made that connection before but I immediately saw why she had drawn that conclusion. The grid created by the woven pattern certainly echoed in his work and the photo realism of Mr. Close's paintings paralleled with this series. But it is the movement around each corner of the grid that I hope to explore further and perhaps exaggerate in the future.

It was a thrill to meet and talk with Inez. Her perspectives and observations where keen and inspiring.     Traveling has a way of opening you up to the world, to new people and new ideas. When we are receptive enough to allow connections to be made, that is when we really get inside the thistle.

Julie Green
August 11, 2018

Saturday, August 4, 2018

Artichokes in August: An Edible Thistle

“Artichokes in August: An Edible Thistle” 2018


It's August and that means it's time for another woven image series! This year I have continued to create portraits of produce. This year I had my friend Sue Davis select a vegetable to feature on Patterns and Tones. As owner of Counter Culturethe finest vegan comfort food restaurant in Austin, TX, Sue is more than familiar with this edible thistle.

During my summer break from the computer in July, I spent the time weaving these paper thistles into portraits that explored their form and fascinating structure. To me, artichokes have always been the Queen of the vegetable kingdom. Mysterious and singular, this bud takes some experience to get to the heart of her blossom. The fuzzy center of her choke is erotic and surrounded by petals with tiny thorns that remind us that she is indeed a flowering thistle.

While constructing these portraits, I found the intersections of paper strips mesmerizing. There was a lot going on in the subtle shift of the image as it was woven together. The spacing of each individual strip causes the image to vibrate from the slight change in their visual position. There is movement.

Along with last years woven Apples in August, I am please to announce that I will be exhibiting prints from this series at Counter Culture this September! I will be sure to let you know the dates of the exhibition in a blog post soon.

From my heart to yours,

Julie Green
August 4, 2018