Sanctuary143 is proud to co host Thursday’s Cause for Drinks event at the Whistle Stop in South Park (5-8 pm). $2 of every drink goes toward planting and saving indigenous tree life, so drink up my friends and meet up with creative peeps from SD looking to do good…even while we drink. [www.plantit2020.org]

If you are a lover of the Lucky Cat like we are (and that means you Linsey!), you best be marking your calendar for Friday 11/14/08 (6-10 pm) to be at Subtext. They have gathered nearly 50 artists from around the globe for the Miao show to do their own custom take on the Miao toy, Zakkamono’s reinterpretation of the Lucky Cat, and it sounds awesome. Get inspired? Buy one at the show and then be the artist and make your own with this handy kit!

…On Halloween night! They’ve grown pumpkins (in their new community organic garden perhaps?) and will be showing the work of Mike Kershnar!

We love Sezio’s interview with co-ringmaster Jeff Black who says “Art, and everything that goes along with it, will save the world. Mark my words…” and we agree, my friend! Cheers to a new world.

So here’s a story about Jeanne Alexander-Kramer, age 91, a graduate of Philadelphia’s Tyler School of Art at Temple University…class of 1939. Now a resident of North County/San Diego and historically a traditional portrait painter, her recent work took a turn towards surrealism with this painting, created at a class at The Braille Institute.

Jeanne is legally blind due to macular degeneration, yet miraculously painted this piece, which she says reflects the hallucinations and dreams she experiences due to this condition. Because she only has peripheral vision, she is not able to see faces and sometimes in their place her mind inserts other images, such as holly (as depicted in the face above in the sky). The birds on the sea represent her grandchildren (or at least “as many as could fit”!)
Jeanne also happens to be the grandmother of Sanctuarian Stacy Kelley and a huge supporter of the arts.
The message here: Keep painting, people!

Photo by Ana Tintocalis, Bike by Gabriel Salcedo at the Reinventing the Wheel art exhibition

Pick up this week’s CityBeat to check out article “Bike Builders” by Kinsee Morlan on Gabriel Salcedo and Richie Ditta’s bike endeavors!
Also check out Bici Bella and Ditta Cycles

Today we welcome to the world baby Mick, son of mommy/artist/Sanctuarian Stephanie Kazma! Steph’s 3 year old daughter Kaia Luna is a main inspiration for the beautiful paintings she somehow finds time to create (Below: portrait “Luna” and “Within Womb”).

Reinvent artist Acamonchi goes to Tijuana. Above: his work for the Estandartes (”big ass flags”) show.

Sanctuary143 artist Thatcher has adorned a plaster boob cast! Buy his hand painted creation here this week and support our friends at Keep A Breast!
Castee: Nicole Morgan

Visit Reinventing the Wheel artist Sandee Manuel Saturday, November 1st in Oceanside!